Kofi Inkoom
After nearly two months of trade rumors, it appears that the Damian Lillard trade situation might be reaching a resolution.
However, NBC Sports reporter Chris Mannix has thrown a curveball by suggesting that Damian Lillard’s potential destination might not be the Miami Heat, who have been considered front-runners.
Chris believes that the Oklahoma City Thunder could be in the mix for Damian Lillard in the future.
The OKC Thunder has been connected to notable players in this offseason, including two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Giannis’ link to the Thunder stems from his desire to leave the Bucks due to their perceived lack of competitiveness.
According to Chris, Sam Presti, the vice president and general manager of the OKC Thunder, could enter trade negotiations and persuade Joe Cronin to consider a potential trade deal that could bring Damian Lillard to Oklahoma.
This scenario, Chris suggests, would depend on the Thunder’s performance in the upcoming season. If they have a strong start, winning around 60% of their games through January and securing a high position in the Western Conference, Sam Presti might be inclined to pursue Lillard.
In essence, the fate of Damian Lillard’s trade destination remains uncertain, with the Oklahoma City Thunder emerging as a possible contender should they perform well in the upcoming season.
Chris Mannix:
“Let’s say OKC is gangbuster to start the season. They win 60% of their games through January and they’re sitting in 3rd or 4th in the West. What’s to stop Sam Presti from saying, ‘Let’s go get Damian Lillard?’”
(via @TheCrossover) pic.twitter.com/nuF83etOC7
— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) September 1, 2023
Nonetheless, while Damian Lillard’s commitment to the Miami Heat remains resolute, the idea of him donning the jersey of another NBA team would come as a major surprise.
As of now, Joe Cronin, the General Manager of the Portland Trail Blazers, has not taken any concrete steps to initiate trade talks that could lead to such a significant move.
Throughout his 11-season NBA career, Lillard has exclusively represented the Trail Blazers. One notable highlight was his outstanding performance during the 2022-23 regular season, where he achieved a career-best average of 32.2 points per game, along with 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game across 58 games, all of which he started. This exceptional display earned him his seventh All-Star selection.
Despite Lillard’s remarkable individual contributions, they did not translate into a substantial number of wins for the Trail Blazers.
Their record for the 2022-23 regular season ended at a subpar 33-49, placing them third from the bottom in the Western Conference.
Their position was better than only the Houston Rockets and the San Antonio Spurs, who both finished the season with records of 22-60.
The disappointment of the 2022-23 season is not an isolated occurrence for the Trail Blazers, and Damian Lillard has been a significant part of this trend.
Despite his lengthy association with the franchise, Lillard’s playoff history remains relatively modest.
He has reached the second round only three times and made it to the Western Conference Finals just once.
In general, although the OKC Thunder are expected to perform well in the upcoming season, the inclusion of Damian Lillard in their roster could position them as formidable candidates to potentially represent the Western Conference in future NBA Finals.