We have hit a wall in the Damian Lillard trade request, as the player seems set on the Miami Heat and the Blazers seem set on sending him anywhere else. In an extended list, the New York Knicks could feature highly for Lillard.
Stephen A. Smith cited all the reasons why the Knicks are a more plausible home for Lillard than the Heat, first using the allure of Madison Square Garden as a selling point.
“MSG is the Mecca. It’s no longer rat infested, it’s the mecca. The Garden is one of the most prestigious venues in the world.”
He then justified the backcourt pairing of Lillard and Jalen Brunson.
“I know that’s a question mark for a lot of people but that’s because you haven’t watched enough of Jalen Brunson. This brother with the ball in his hands is something special… You’re a closer Dame, I understand from a size perspective it’ll be undersized in the backcourt. But you’re coached by Tom Thibodeau, an elite defensive coach. You got Mitchell Robinson in the middle. The temperament, the poise, the ability to produce under pressure, all of these things, Jalen Brunson has proven. You can co-exist, it’s not ideal. But if anyone can make it work, it is you, Dame.”
SAS also said it’ll provide a long-term solution for Julius Randle, as the All-Star will have to either buy into having a reduced role behind Lillard or leave the franchise.
“Don’t worry about him adjusting because he’ll have no choice. When you stroll into the Garden in New York City… Julius Randle ain’t the dude to attract people from around the world to descend on the Big Apple. You’re that dude and because of that, Randle will have no choice but to capitulate or pack his bags.”
He then said the Knicks can attract more talent and have failed to do so up until now due to the lack of a Lillard-like superstar on the franchise.
“Ain’t nobody coming to Portland, that’s why you want out. Yeah, folks will come to South Beach but they don’t even show up to games on time… Do you have any kind of idea the money you can make in New York City? Everybody will want to flock to that. They ain’t coming to Portland but they wouldn’t hesitate to come to New York if you were here, Dame Dolla.”
Smith rests his case by listing out the difference in assets between the teams.
“Miami has Tyler Herro, Portland doesn’t want that. Duncan Robinson, he can shoot but he’s still learning to play. They’ve got some picks, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, those dudes, we understand that. The Knicks have 11 picks between now and the year 2030. Do you know seven of those first-round picks are their own? Did you know they’re available and can trade eight picks? It won’t take that much but they can give up three to four picks plus an RJ Barrett, plus an Evan Fournier… You trade Grimes, I don’t wanna give up Quickley, but if I had to, I’d do it for you. You give them those three players and about three to four picks, the Portland Trail Blazers can’t possibly argue that’s not enough assets.”
.@stephenasmith gives us ALL the reasons Dame should play for the Knicks 👀
1. Knicks assets > Heat assets
2. NYC attracts talent
3. Randle will adjust
4. Dame/Brunson can coexist
5. MSG is the Mecca pic.twitter.com/QafTvr3401
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 25, 2023
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds last season and would supercharge the Knicks, who were a second-round exit in the playoffs. The fit could be clunky alongside Jalen Brunson, but Lillard may be the superstar the Knicks have been saving assets for.
Is Damian Lillard The Star New York Should Pursue?
After the Suns made the Kevin Durant trade, the Knicks are well-positioned to be the next team with all the assets to make a big win-now trade. It wouldn’t be hard to convince Lillard to play in New York, provided the team is willing to empty out its asset chest to acquire him.
Honestly, it doesn’t look like the Knicks need to make a run after Lillard. They can trust the young Brunson to shepherd the team as their point guard. Any assets will be used in acquiring a superstar player that’s either a forward or a big man.
Joel Embiid has already been linked to the franchise. With him being younger and arguably a better player right now than Dame, the Knicks may hold onto their assets for another season to see what happens in Philly.
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