The Portland Trail Blazers and the New Orleans Pelicans could help one another move on from complicated situations. Their respective best stars have been involved in controversies recently, although not at the same level.
Still, a trade idea has been proposed by NBA analyst Ben Stinar, pushing these two teams to swap Damian Lillard and Zion Williamson to give both a fresh start in the league.
“Damian Lillard to New Orleans Pelicans for Zion Williamson.
“Lillard and McCollum were always missing a forward and Brandon Ingram is that DUDE.
“Portland Trail Blazers can take time with Zion and build a core with Anfernee Simons, Cam Reddish Shaedon Sharpe, #3 pick.”
TRADE IDEA:
Damian Lillard to New Orleans Pelicans for Zion Williamson
Lillard and McCollum were always missing a forward and Brandon Ingram is that DUDE
Portland Trail Blazers can take time with Zion and build a core with Anfernee Simons, Cam Reddish Shaedon Sharpe , #3 pick. pic.twitter.com/9gobaxe8xq
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) June 9, 2023
This is a good idea from Stinar, as this trade would put Dame in a good situation for the future. He’ll reunite with CJ McCollum in New Orleans but also would join a team with hustlers who can defend and are all about the grind.
Brandon Ingram will be a big addition to this mix, as the player can maximize Lillard and McCollum’s chances to finally win a championship. The most appealing part for Lillard is that he wouldn’t join a team that would have a cakewalk to the championship.
The Pels would get a lot better, but they still will need to fight hard to make it past the Western Conference and play in the Finals.
As for Zion, he can be the leader of a team in Portland and leave behind all the rumors about him not wanting to stay with the Pelicans and his reluctance to play for the team. This sounds like a good idea right now, but it seems like these teams are set to keep both players on the roster and not make any moves at least until the end of the 2023-24 NBA season.
Lillard is making $45.6 million in the 2023-24 NBA season, while Zion will make $33.5 million since he rookie supermax extension kicks in.
A Fresh Start For Both Players Amid Controversies
This would be a good way out for both players, who made headlines during the week for different reasons. Lillard was, once again, mentioned in trade rumors, with the Boston Celtics, Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and the New York Knicks considered the most likely landing spots for him.
Lillard stirred the pot when he picked the Heat and Nets as his favorite options while insider Chris Haynes claimed he wouldn’t join the Celtics. This sparked a lot of reactions from many people, including Lillard himself. His name remains a common topic around the league, and at least until the 2023 NBA Draft, nobody knows what will happen with Lillard.
As for Zion, the situation seems to be more complicated. After announcing he’s becoming a father, two women started calling him out on social media for playing with them and revealing details of what Williamson promised or did to them.
This has become a hot topic in the league right now, and even though Zion’s stepfather came in his defense, the player is still under fire. Perhaps all the rumors about Dame and the uncomfortable situation with Williamson could prompt their teams to swap them and see what they can do with their potential new stars.
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