Damian Lillard is a popular subject as NBA trade rumors swirl this offseason.
Despite the fact that several teams are rumored to have interest in Lillard, the Trail Blazers intend to keep the All-Star point guard and are crafting a “compelling package” to acquire Heat center Bam Adebayo, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
However, for Miami to consider an offer for its defensive anchor, Portland would have to include shooting guards Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons and the No. 3 pick in Thursday’s NBA draft in the deal, according to Fischer. The Trail Blazers own the Nos. 3, 23 and 43 picks in the draft.
That scenario aligns with reports from NBA journalist Marc Stein, who stated Portland is willing to package Simons to receive a veteran talent to pair with Lillard. Despite rumors to the contrary, Lillard reportedly is adamant on staying with the Blazers, for whom he’s played since 2012.
“He wants to be there,” The Athletic’s Shams Charania said on The Pat McAfee Show on Monday. “They have the No. 3 pick in the draft [and] the No. 23 pick in the draft. They have Anfernee Simons. What can you go get in the marketplace to make this team better?”
If Portland successfully puts together a deal to acquire Adebayo, the 25-year-old would instantly impact the Trail Blazers’ defense, a unit that has ranked in league’s bottom five teams in defensive efficiency in each of the past four seasons.
