Los Angeles Lakers' and Clippers' Odds at Landing Damian Lillard Revealed

Los Angeles Lakers' and Clippers' Odds at Landing Damian Lillard Revealed

On Friday afternoon, Damian Lillard publicly clarified that he has not requested a trade, and expects to be in a Portland Trailblazers jersey next season; however, many believe that a breakup between Dame and the Blazers is inevitable. Because of this, DraftKings Sportsbook released the betting odds for which team Damian Lillard will begin the 2021-22 NBA season on.

While Lillard clarified that he expects to remain a Blazer next season, he made numerous comments that indicated his dissatisfaction with their current roster. Lillard, who just recently turned 31, is one of the best players in the NBA and is in the prime of his career. Dame has spent nine seasons with the Portland Trailblazers, and has seemingly reached a point in his career where pursuing a championship is his unrivaled top priority. Dame made that clear on Friday when he stated that a new coach is not going to take this current Blazers roster to a championship level, essentially putting pressure on Portland’s management to improve their roster if they want to keep him.

With the Portland Trailblazers operating with limited cap space and the restrictions that come with being in a small market, many believe that the team will be unable to build a roster that Dame will be satisfied with. If Lillard were to get traded, DraftKings has the Lakers with +1600 odds to land Dame, and the Clippers right behind them at +1800. These are the 7th and 8th best odds respectively, trailing the Knicks, 76ers, Warriors, Heat, Mavericks, and Celtics.

With both LA teams being a seemingly perfect basketball fit for Lillard, why are both of their odds so low? While star players of Dame’s caliber often have the leverage on where they would like to be traded to, the organization ultimately has the final say. For this reason, it is hard to imagine the Clippers or Lakers being able to put together a trade package for Lillard that the Portland Trailblazers would even consider.

Unless Damian Lillard comes out and says he wants to be traded to Los Angeles and nowhere else, it is difficult to imagine a scenario where Dame starts next season in Staples Center.

Damian Lillard to the Lakers? Discussing the possibilities

A report Friday morning that Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, who is with Team USA preparing for the Olympics, will ask for a trade in the coming days started a new round of speculation on where he might land.

The New York Knicks? His former hometown Golden State Warriors? How about the Los Angeles Lakers?

Portland has all the leverage in the scenario since Lillard is owed approximately $44 million a year for four more seasons. Keep in mind, the Trail Blazers would need at least $40 million in player salaries joining their roster to swing the deal.

The Times’ NBA reporters — Dan Woike, Broderick Turner and Andrew Greif — discuss the possibilities of a Lillard trade, particularly to the Lakers.

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BT: Let me start with this — just was told by a source that Lillard is not going to request a trade in the next day or two, it might not even be imminent. So there’s that. Now the source also said he’s not sure what Lillard will do in the future regarding a trade.

AG: You can see why there’s so much Dame-to-L.A. talk, though: I mean, did you see the “Space Jam: A New Legacy” trailer where he’s teaming up with Anthony Davis? No laughs? OK, but seriously, as the term “disgruntled superstar” has taken hold more and more in recent seasons, in the context of a player forcing his way out to a new destination, there is often a caveat with said player. Whatever the specifics — will his style of play mesh, and can he be a leader? — it boils down to the question of whether the player is truly worth it to chase after. And again, you can see why there is so much talk about Lillard. He has proven exceptionally durable, loyal and outrageously productive during his career in Portland. Everyone speaks highly of him.

DW: Does Damian Lillard want to be a Laker? Maybe. Does that matter? Not even a little. He has no leverage because of the length of his contract. It makes little to zero sense that Portland would want to do Dame a solid as a thank you for his loyalty by flipping him to a Western Conference rival for a 10-cents-on-the-dollar trade package the Lakers can offer. What good does a 2028 first-round pick do for Portland GM Neil Olshey as he tries to keep his job now?

BT: That’s right, Dan. Dame is due to start his super-max contract with Portland for 4 years and more than $176 million, meaning it would take the Lakers having to put together a lot of salaries to get up to Lillard’s $43.75 million that he will earn next season. It just sounds like it would be impossible for the Lakers to do a deal even if they wanted to.

DW: Exactly. The Lakers don’t have great assets — you’re not getting an All-NBA player for Talen Horton-Tucker, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Kyle Kuzma along with some draft picks halfway through the Rock’s first term as president in 2027. Is it impossible? No. But I’d like their odds better if they decide to invest in $500 worth of scratchers at an AM/PM.

BT: Well, Damian is scheduled to talk today after Team USA’s practice in Las Vegas. First, let’s see if he actually talks with all the rumors going around regarding his future. And if he does, let’s see what he has to say about potential trade destinations, including the Lakers.

DW: The best pathways for the Lakers this offseason involve smaller deals centered around THT, KCP and Kuzma, maybe a sign-and-trade with Dennis Schroder, maybe signing a veteran here or there willing to take a pay cut to chase a ring. But a prime All-NBA guard? That’s strictly Photoshop material.

Report: Lakers among Damian Lillard’s preferred trade destinations

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has reportedly requested a trade, and the Los Angeles Lakers are apparently included in his list of preferred trade destinations.

Damian Lillard has officially requested a trade from the Portland Trailblazers. Knicks, Lakers, Heat, and Warriors are the four teams Lillard’s interested in. — Barry Bondz (@BarryBondz) July 16, 2021

The fact that Lillard would be interested in joining the Lakers does not come as a surprise to many. After all, Los Angeles is one of the league’s marquee franchises.

The sixth overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft has been one of the best point guards in the past seasons. He has career averages of 24.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists per game.

However, he has failed to reach the NBA Finals in his nine years in the league. He once came close in 2019, but the Blazers were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals.

At 31 years old, Lillard may only have a few years left in his title window. Joining LeBron James and Anthony Davis in Los Angeles provides a great opportunity for the All-Star to finally win a coveted championship.