Speculation: ESPN Lillard to Boston Trade Idea that does not involve Jaylen

[Smartacus]

Blazers get:
Juancho Hernangomez
Al Horford
Aaron Nesmith
Payton Pritchard
Dennis Schroder
2022 FRP
2024 FRP
2026 FRP (Protected)
2028 FRP (Protected)

Celtics get:
Damian Lillard
CJ Elleby
Ben McLemore
Tony Snell
Cody Zeller

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32813451/five-big-damian-lillard-trades-want-see-portland-trail-blazers-pursue
(Paywall)

A lot of people are saying this is a bad trade for Portland but I think some might be overestimating Lillard's value. pretty similar to the James Harden return

Rotation
PG - Lillard/Yam Maddar?
SG - Smart/Langford/Mclemore
SF - Jaylen/Richardson/Tony Snell
PF - Tatum/G Williams/Jabari Parker
C - RWIII/Freedom/Fernando

Here is ESPN's take on the trade:

Kevin Pelton: Our colleague Zach Lowe suggested the Celtics as a destination for Lillard during our discussion on Tuesday's Lowe Post, and I'm running with that. Although finding a deal that makes sense financially between two teams currently in the tax is challenging, a large-scale swap like this -- which can't be completed until Dec. 15 because of the inclusion of several players signed as free agents this offseason -- would leave both in almost identical positions.

From Portland's standpoint, this deal makes the most sense as the start of a full-scale rebuild. Although the Blazers get a pair of 2020 first-round picks in Nesmith and Pritchard, the latter returning to his hometown after scoring 19 points in 18 minutes in Saturday's blowout win in Portland, the bulk of the value of this trade is in up to four first-round picks over the next seven years. At least one of those would come beyond the scope of Lillard's current contract.

Additionally, the Blazers would create huge cap flexibility to use in future moves. Horford's $26.5 million salary for 2022-23 is guaranteed for just $14.5 million, while Hernangomez's $7.5 million salary is fully non-guaranteed and Schroder's contract expires.

Dealing so many picks would be a huge risk for the Celtics, but Lillard would be the kind of playmaker they haven't had at point guard since Kyrie Irving's departure, and Lillard's long-term contract protects them from another star leaving in free agency.

This trade is already large enough, but I could see Boston preferring to expand it by sending Josh Richardson to the Blazers in exchange for Larry Nance Jr. That would help balance Boston's roster after sending out Horford while still remaining salary-neutral.

[Roy H.]

Also included:  Brad’s first three grandchildren; Wyc’s ownership stake in his Tequila business; Lucky The Leprechaun

[Moranis]

I'd do that, but I have no idea why Portland would unless they really value future draft picks from the C's in the heart of Tatum and Brown's primes.

[Birdman]

Portland laugh at that offer..plus it kills our luxury tax

[Smartacus]

I'm not sure this is so bad for Portland.

Completely clears the decks from a Cap standpoint.
Gives them the 4 FRP's that are standard for a trade like this
Pritchard is a good story
Maybe they convince Schroeder to Re-Sign/ Keeps Schroeder and Horford together
Aaron NeSmith might be a real player

The only thing they are missing is a young stud but maybe that could be the focus of a McCollum trade if their looking to firesale. This is exactly the type of package that an incoming GM and a new Coach should be hoping for.

[coco]

Blazers get:
Juancho Hernangomez
Al Horford
Aaron Nesmith
Payton Pritchard
Dennis Schroder
2022 FRP
2024 FRP
2026 FRP (Protected)
2028 FRP (Protected)

Celtics get:
Damian Lillard
CJ Elleby
Ben McLemore
Tony Snell
Cody Zeller

https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/32813451/five-big-damian-lillard-trades-want-see-portland-trail-blazers-pursue
(Paywall)

A lot of people are saying this is a bad trade for Portland but I think some might be overestimating Lillard's value. pretty similar to the James Harden return

Rotation
PG - Lillard/Yam Maddar?
SG - Smart/Langford/Mclemore
SF - Jaylen/Richardson/Tony Snell
PF - Tatum/G Williams/Jabari Parker
C - RWIII/Freedom/Fernando

Here is ESPN's take on the trade:

Kevin Pelton: Our colleague Zach Lowe suggested the Celtics as a destination for Lillard during our discussion on Tuesday's Lowe Post, and I'm running with that. Although finding a deal that makes sense financially between two teams currently in the tax is challenging, a large-scale swap like this -- which can't be completed until Dec. 15 because of the inclusion of several players signed as free agents this offseason -- would leave both in almost identical positions.

From Portland's standpoint, this deal makes the most sense as the start of a full-scale rebuild. Although the Blazers get a pair of 2020 first-round picks in Nesmith and Pritchard, the latter returning to his hometown after scoring 19 points in 18 minutes in Saturday's blowout win in Portland, the bulk of the value of this trade is in up to four first-round picks over the next seven years. At least one of those would come beyond the scope of Lillard's current contract.

Additionally, the Blazers would create huge cap flexibility to use in future moves. Horford's $26.5 million salary for 2022-23 is guaranteed for just $14.5 million, while Hernangomez's $7.5 million salary is fully non-guaranteed and Schroder's contract expires.

Dealing so many picks would be a huge risk for the Celtics, but Lillard would be the kind of playmaker they haven't had at point guard since Kyrie Irving's departure, and Lillard's long-term contract protects them from another star leaving in free agency.

This trade is already large enough, but I could see Boston preferring to expand it by sending Josh Richardson to the Blazers in exchange for Larry Nance Jr. That would help balance Boston's roster after sending out Horford while still remaining salary-neutral.

Based on this season’s performance alone; the two best players on the trade are Hofford and Schroeder….just saying

[todd_days_41]

I'd do that, but I have no idea why Portland would unless they really value future draft picks from the C's in the heart of Tatum and Brown's primes.

This. Would Rip City really trade Lillard for 4 1sts in the teens and 20s? Because the players are garbage (other than Denis, who doesn’t have his Bird Rights). 

[greg683x]

Portland would rather roll the dice with Ben Simmons

[todd_days_41]

Portland laugh at that offer..plus it kills our salary cap

What cap? We’re in the luxury tax already with 3 extensions signed last offseason.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

I've suggested something like that before.

This gives them an immediate reset on their salary. It also sends a local favorite in Payton Pritchard back to them. Pritchard's probably not a star in the making, but if you force-fed him for a year, his value would go up, and his rise would satiate fans during the rebuild. I think he could be something like a discount Brogdon eventually. Obviously all the picks are a big part of this as well.

Nesmith's probably the wild card. You have to wonder if he has some fans in front offices around the league. I still think his future is bright in the NBA. He reminds me a little bit of a 3 point shooting version of one of Billups old teammates - Rip Hamilton. But still, he has not produced enough to a good piece for any team that wasn't a fan of his at the draft.

How much better does this trade make the Celtics? Real question. I think Schroeder's edge is a big boost to the Cs. If you replace that with a relatively soft player that can't get to the free throw line with the new rule changes, is this team a lot better?

Another big question is ... why wouldn't the Blazers just trade Simmons? Simmons is probably a better assets than the sum total of everything in that trade package from the Cs.

[Birdman]

If I’m Portland, I rather have Ben Simmons than what Celtics would give up in that propose deal…they would clear cap room thou but Portland fans don’t want a rebuild

[Redz]

Also included:  Brad’s first three grandchildren; Wyc’s ownership stake in his Tequila business; Lucky The Leprechaun

I have a brick from the old Garden I'd be willing to throw in

[gift]

Am I the only one concerned that Lillard follows the Kemba path? And in two years might be a net liability? I guess at that point we could just flip him and a draft pick for a 37 year old Horford.

[todd_days_41]

Is a team of Lillard, Brown and Tatum (plus Timelord, Smart and Nance Jr.) a contender? Strikes me as a long shot group. I’d prefer to see the the Cs use their assets on a player who is still maturing / has real upside.

[Sophomore]

Am I the only one concerned that Lillard follows the Kemba path? And in two years might be a net liability? I guess at that point we could just flip him and a draft pick for a 37 year old Horford.

Lol for the Horford idea.