Two Teams Are Favorites To Land Damian Lillard Via Trade

The offseason is in full swing but we still have no idea if Damian Lillard is sticking with the Portland Trail Blazers or not. Is he going to pack up and leave after years of the team falling short? If he does go, where will he head?

We aren't certain about any of the answers to those questions but we do know which two teams will fight like hell to get him.

According to Zach Lowe, both the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers are willing to fight a "Lillard trade war" if the NBA superstar tells Portland he wants to be traded.

Why is this a big deal? Because the Knicks and Sixers are two of the only teams that have the trade assets needed to make it worthwhile for Portland. Of those two teams, the 76ers have a much easier time creating a sizable trade package right here and now. For example, they would send the Blazers Ben Simmons - and pretty much anyone else they want short of Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris. As for the Knicks, any trade for Lillard would need to include other teams and would be more difficult, but still possible. Most other teams in the NBA just don't have a viable path to get Lillard.


Rumors have long said that Lillard is open to playing in both of those cities, although it sounds like Philly is his slight favorite. However, we don't even know if he's going to cut ties with Portland. He might stick around for another season.

For his part, Lillard posted this cryptic message on Instagram, seemingly commenting on this complicated and hush-hush trade situation.