As the NBA's training camps approach in late September, the Portland Trail Blazers have been engaging in more discussions with other teams in an effort to secure the best possible trade return for their seven-time All-Star, Damian Lillard, according to sources in the league who spoke to Yahoo Sports.
Since the initial talks in July, which followed Lillard's request for a trade, no deal has been struck that would send him to his preferred destination of Miami or another potential landing spot like Brooklyn. The start of training camp, along with media day on October 2nd, has become an informal deadline for the Blazers to part ways with Lillard and begin a new era for the team. This situation has become even more pressing than the ongoing situation in Philadelphia, where James Harden is still hoping to be traded to the LA Clippers.
The Blazers currently have promising young players such as Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe, along with 24-year-old scorer Anfernee Simons. Bringing Lillard, who is 33 and has over $200 million remaining on his contract, back to the team, especially after his public trade request, goes against the idea of Portland moving forward with its current core of players. In contrast, Philadelphia is still open to the possibility of Harden reporting to camp, playing for a championship contender, and increasing his trade value to meet the Sixers' requirements for a trade. However, Harden has stated that he won't be part of any organization that includes Philadelphia president Daryl Morey.
The situation with the Sixers is expected to continue to be eventful, whether at their practice facility in Camden, New Jersey, or during their training camp in Colorado Springs, Colorado. In contrast, Portland's situation is moving towards a resolution, with increased discussions involving potential trade partners beyond Lillard's preferred destination, the Miami Heat.
Toronto and Chicago have been the two destinations for Lillard that have been most discussed among league figures. While some NBA personnel believe that Portland may engage with Miami before finalizing a deal with another team, the Heat have not been the primary focus of recent trade talks regarding Lillard. Additionally, the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz have emerged as potential peripheral teams that could play a role in larger deals facilitating Lillard's departure from Portland.
One notable aspect of the developing Lillard negotiations is Portland's consideration of acquiring Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton as part of a multi-team deal for Lillard. The Blazers have shown previous interest in Ayton, and the current idea involves sending Portland's center, Jusuf Nurkic, back to Phoenix. This would provide the Suns with a suitable defensive anchor and pick-and-roll partner for their perimeter playmakers.
However, the Suns have previously maintained that Ayton was not available for trade this summer, and public support from their head coach, Frank Vogel, indicated their confidence in his abilities. If a trade for Nurkic doesn't materialize, the Suns still view Ayton as a critical part of their title aspirations alongside Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. The challenge for the Suns would be managing Ayton's potential displeasure if he believed they were actively trying to trade him for Nurkic.
The financial aspects of such a trade would need to be carefully considered, with Nurkic's annual salary being approximately half of Ayton's. Including players like OG Anunoby from the Toronto Raptors in the deal could help match salaries, but it presents different challenges. Anunoby has a player option for the 2024-25 season and has expressed a desire for greater ball-handling opportunities and a commensurate salary increase. The Raptors have explored trade scenarios for Anunoby in the past, but it's uncertain if they will ultimately pull the trigger.
Chicago, despite exploring trade scenarios for Zach LaVine, does not seem to be a strong partner for the Blazers in their pursuit of Lillard. The Blazers have young talent in Anfernee Simons, who commands a lower salary and is four years younger than LaVine, making him a more attractive option.
Utah could play a role in multi-team scenarios for Lillard, particularly if the Blazers ultimately trade with the Miami Heat. The Jazz, along with the Bulls, Hornets, and Nets, have shown interest in acquiring Tyler Herro from the Heat. There is significant interest in Miami's potential package, which could include Herro, Nikola Jovic, and others.
In the end, many factors will determine where Lillard ends up, including the best package the Blazers can secure, even if it doesn't align with the preferences of rival personnel and fans. The resolution of these complex negotiations will depend on how Portland's front office navigates the various options available.