TRADE DETAILS
- Nuggets receive Damian Lillard & Justise Winslow
- Trailblazers receive Michael Porter Jr., Monte Morris, 2026 First-Round Pick (DEN) & 2028 First-Round Pick (DEN)
Now, in all honesty, this one does seem to be the most unlikely scenario given how bold a move it would be for the Blazers to trade their franchise player to a division rival. Although, considering that Lillard’s name always seems to get thrown around in trade rumours and Portland’s future outlook in a stacked Northwest division. Dame to Denver seems more real than ever before.
Even though Damian Lillard has said all the right things by stating that “he wants to win a championship in Portland”. I think it’s become pretty clear that the Trailblazers aren’t going to contend for a title anytime soon. He’s also turning 32-years-old in July and is owed over $136 million guaranteed through till 2025, via Spotrac. So, the Blazers might just pull the trigger if the right offer comes their way.
While Lillard has been linked to various other teams around the league, such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Boston Celtics. The Denver Nuggets could probably string together a far more intriguing offer than any one of these teams.
Using the aforementioned trade scenario, Portland would receive a player with just as much potential as anyone in the NBA in Michael Porter Jr. As well as a serviceable veteran point guard and a couple of future first-round draft picks that could be used to fuel their rebuild. While Denver would get arguably the greatest point guard in basketball, and a solid rotational piece in Justise Winslow.
Similar to Beal, Lillard is one of the best true shooters in the game as well, albeit far better at creating his own shot. Although, the real value with adding a player like Lillard is that he’s much more of a pure point guard compared to Jamal Murray, who’s never averaged over five assists per game in his career. Meaning that Denver would instantly have three legitimate playmakers capable of creating shots for themselves or others at any moment in the game.
Simply put, a big three of Damian Lillard, Jamal Murray, and Nikola Jokic would give opposing teams nightmares for days. And the Denver Nuggets might just have the pieces necessary to pull it off.