Blockbuster NBA Trade Ideas: Damian Lillard to Los Angeles Lakers, Trae Young to Heat

Posted by Admin November 18, 2024 NBA

Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images

Los Angeles Lakers Receive: PG Damian Lillard

Milwaukee Bucks Receive: G Austin Reaves, F Rui Hachimura, PG D’Angelo Russell, 2029 first-round pick (unprotected via Lakers)

Detroit Pistons Receive: F/C Christian Wood, 2025 second-round pick (via Lakers)

Trading Giannis Antetokounmpo should be off the table for the Bucks right now. The franchise may be forced to listen to offers for Lillard, however, whose time in Milwaukee has been a failure so far.

LeBron James has long been a fan of Damian Lillard, prompting this famous quote from 2018:

Chris Haynes @ChrisBHaynes

LeBron James asked if Damian Lillard is underappreciated: “Give me Damian Lillard. I’ll show you how appreciated he’ll be.”

A Big 3 of James, Lillard and Anthony Davis may be the best in the NBA, especially since the former is still putting up regular triple-doubles as he approaches age 40. Los Angeles would still have Dalton Knecht, Gabe Vincent, Jarred Vanderbilt, Max Christie, Jaxson Hayes, Cam Reddish and others with extra roster spots available to chase buyout candidates.

Depth has been a major issue for Milwaukee, and the Bucks would suddenly be quite deep around their two-time MVP with Reaves, Hachimura and Russell joining Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Gary Trent Jr. and others.

Since the Bucks are a second-apron tax team and the Lakers are right up against the second apron themselves, the Pistons are used as a third team to help facilitate the trade by taking on Wood’s contract.