In the wake of Damian Lillard requesting a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, one NBA writer has proposed that the Atlanta Hawks send Trae Young to Portland for Lillard.
Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report is proposing that the Hawks trade Young, Jalen Johnson, a 2024 first-round pick, a 2029 first-round pick and two first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 for Lillard.
“Young, a two-time All-Star and one-time All-NBA honoree, could effortlessly fill Lillard’s shoes in this offense,” Buckley wrote. “Both are pick-and-roll maestros with an array of dribble moves, deep shooting range and the willingness to distribute. If the Blazers want to build around Young—and Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe (but probably not Anfernee Simons)—they could pounce on this package. … Meanwhile, Atlanta could sense that Lillard’s availability is opportunity’s knocking.
“Lillard could arrive as essentially a turbo-charged version of Young, meaning there would be minimal disruption to the system and the chance for this group to hit the ground sprinting.”
Lillard has demanded that the Blazers trade him to the Miami Heat. However, since Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, he can’t control where he goes.
The 32-year-old Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season while shooting 46.3% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 91.4% from the free-throw line. He will make $45.6 million next season. Dame only wants to play for the Heat next season.
Meanwhile, Young put up 26.2 points, 3.0 rebounds and 10.2 assists per game for the Hawks in 2022-23. The two-time All-Star shot 42.9% overall, 33.5% from 3 and 88.6% from the free-throw line. Young signed a five-year, $215.2 million rookie maximum extension with the Hawks in August 2021.
It would be wild to see Lillard and Young swap places. The Hawks, thus far, haven’t talked to the Blazers about a Lillard trade. Portland is not expected to trade Lillard anytime soon since it wants the best package.
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