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NBA, Basketball Herren, USA New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers Mar 27, 2023 Portland, Oregon, USA Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard 0 watches players warm up prior to the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center. Portland Moda Center Oregon USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xSoobumxImx 20230327_si_ai1_001
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NBA, Basketball Herren, USA New Orleans Pelicans at Portland Trail Blazers Mar 27, 2023 Portland, Oregon, USA Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard 0 watches players warm up prior to the game against the New Orleans Pelicans at Moda Center. Portland Moda Center Oregon USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xSoobumxImx 20230327_si_ai1_001
No player has been making the headlines as much as Damian Lillard in the NBA off-season. The Portland Trail Blazers star has requested a surprise trade, which left many teams hunting down for his signature.
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While no franchise has landed him yet, Lillard’s preference is understood to be a star-studded team. Along the same lines, a Boston Celtics star has recently thrown his hat in the Dame’s next move, but is it a move to lure him to Beantown?
NBA star’s attempt to lure Damian Lillard
The transfer saga surrounding Lillard is expected to heat up in the next few weeks. In the NBA trade landscape, the Portland Trail Blazers have the power to decide where the star guard finally ends up.
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Unlike players with a no-trade clause, Lillard cannot veto a trade and must accept his fate wherever his current team decides to send him. The Trail Blazers are expected to make the most of their star player’s departure in terms of an enormous transfer sum.
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NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Houston Rockets at Portland Trail Blazers Feb 26, 2023 Portland, Oregon, USA Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard 0 reacts after the victory against the Houston Rockets at Moda Center. Portland Moda Center Oregon USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xSoobumxImx 20230226_si_ai1_104
While fans on social media have relentlessly requested Lillard to join their favorite teams, NBA superstar Jayson Tatum had other plans. When asked about his role in influencing the 33-year-old to play in his team, he smirked and said, “I ain’t got nothing to do with that,” which has caused the fans to speculate about the situation more than before. Considering a roster change, the Celtics would find more success with a wing and lead guard than their current players.
Jayson Tatum has “nothing to do with” recruiting Dame to Boston 🤫 pic.twitter.com/WTthqc5hQH
— Ball Don’t Lie (@Balldontlie) July 15, 2023
The response further begs the question: Could Lillard be a perfect fit for the Boston Celtics?
What Celtics Bring To The Table In Pursuit Of Lillard
With Lillard’s profitable contract on the books, the Celtics would need to make the financial maths work. The Boston-based outfit would require over $41 million outbound salary to make the trade happen without parting ways with shooting guard Jaylen Brown.
Yet, a collection of roster players and first-round picks could rival the offers from other interested teams, including the Miami Heat. The Jimmy Butler-led team looks to be in the lead to land Lillard’s services, but no offer has been accepted yet.
On the other hand, the Celtics would boast one of the most talented top foursomes in the NBA with Lillard, with Tatum himself primed for an extension next summer. His willingness to sacrifice touches and shots for a one-year experiment could be the key to unlocking their championship aspirations.
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Edited by
Sharan Nair