An NBA insider has reported that if Lillard gets traded to Boston, it might be more trouble than it is worth. What does this mean for the Celtics?
According to Shams Charania, Damian Lillard has one team on his mind when it comes to filling his trade request: The Miami Heat. This could make it hard for the Boston Celtics to trade for the superstar.
The Heat and Portland Trail Blazers have been unable to get a deal done due to the Heat's assets do not really fit with the Trail Blazers' main piece moving forward, Scoot Henderson. Tyler Herro would be the main asset that the squad would end up giving up in a deal for the All-NBA player. Henderson doesn't really fit well with Herro due to the fact that they are both undersized guards who have work to do on the defensive end.
These are also players who need to have the ball in their hands to succeed. The Celtics could trump any offer by offering Jaylen Brown in a deal (remember he currently did not get his contract extended this offseason) but it seems like Lillard would be unhappy in any place that is not Miami. This would make any deal for the Celtics a lot more trouble than helpful.
The Celtics are a squad that has already remodeled itself this summer by trading Marcus Smart for Kristaps Porzingis. Jayson Tatum and the Celtics franchise only have two more years left on his deal (player option). Some analysts have argued that the fit between Brown and Tatum might not be working. With that in mind, the Celtics may be looking to swap these two superstar players.
That said, Lillard's hesitation to play in Boston causes some concern. Might he hold out from showing up for training camp? Or will he be distracted and unwilling to give it his all if he doesn't end up at his destination of choice?
The alternative might be him playing for the Heat, which could be troubling in the other direction for Boston, since they would be on a collision course to have to face Miami in the postseason.
Based on this recent piece of news, How much of a longshot is the Celtics acquiring Damian Lillard?
With the summer league ending in the next couple of days, the Blazers will most likely keep Damian Lillard until the beginning of training camp at the very least.
It seems like Portland is playing the long game when it comes to the Lillard trade situation. The Heat have some work to do to get a deal. Most of that work will require Miami to be able to find a third team for Tyler Herro.
Any squad will have to end up giving up a first-round pick in all likelihood which would be then sent to the Blazers. Lillard's new willingness to be unhappy with any destination that does not allow him to end up with the Heat is putting the situation at a standstill. With that in mind, the Celtics are huge long-shots to end up trading for Lillard.