Denver Nuggets: 3 possible Damian Lillard trades this offseason

4 of 5

Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers brings the ball down the court against Monte Morris of the Denver Nuggets. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Denver Nuggets potential trade for Damian Lillard: #3 Have your cake and eat it too

This one brings the biggest smile to Nuggets fan’s faces and where I lose the Portland readers.

Here, Denver sends out Aaron Gordon, Monte Morris, Zeke Nnaji, and plenty of draft capital. On top of that, say it with me: Barton declines his option.

If you thought the last trade was depleting Denver’s depth, wait till you see this one. I’ve put JaVale McGee and Millsap down as returning for the veteran’s minimum, but it could also just be them leaving altogether.

If they were to leave, this pretty much leaves the Nuggets with a four-man roster and JaMychal Green. On the bright side, absolutely no depth at all means Bol Bol gets the backup big minutes, that’s exciting.

I honestly don’t know if this lineup with Dame, Murray, MPJ, Green, and Jokic is better than the last but it’s just as incendiary on offense.

The championship windows get weird with this one. Dame will be another year older by the time Jamal’s back to full health the following season so this is more of a 2022-23 play. By the time that season has rolled around, who knows what’s out there on the trade market, and does Denver want to execute this trade a year before they have to?

Another issue is that Portland is hanging up the phone if they’re not getting MPJ or Murray in return. Yes, the picks are enticing, but with the lineup Denver’s throwing out there, those picks aren’t landing in the lottery.