NY Knicks: NY must trade for Damian Lillard this offseason

The NY Knicks are on the brink of elimination and while I know it’s not over just yet, looking toward the future isn’t the worst idea.

Julius Randle clearly isn’t your Number 1 guy on a contending team, so the Knicks must find the Batman to Julius’ Robin.

Another player whose team is on the brink of elimination as well, Damian Lillard, could fit the bill.

After last night’s 55 point performance in double overtime, and Dame entering ‘God Mode’ on several occasions throughout the game…

It just makes too much sense at this point to pry him away from Portland when they inevitably get bounced in this 1st round of the playoffs.

This matchup couldn’t be any more ideal for Portland as they’re up against a Denver team without their 2nd best player in Jamal Murray, and yet they’re down 3-2 despite Lillard’s massive performances.

Back in April, Marc Berman of the NY Post wrote about how the Knicks would jump at the occasion to acquire Damian Lillard if the opportunity presented itself.

I subsequently wrote a piece reacting to the report, but back then it was truly just clickbait.

For numerous reasons, I didn’t think the trade was necessary for either side.

Damian Lillard to the NY Knicks sounds like a match made in heaven

It seemed as if the Knicks would be facing off against a team in the playoffs that they could perhaps beat in the 1st round, therefore making such a drastic move unnecessary.

Why trade the bulk of your future for one player if you could make it into the 2nd round of the playoffs with the team they have today?

For whatever reason, the Blazers have never been able to pair Dame with a good enough supporting cast to really compete in this league.

New York would provide him with a marquee market for his brand, a tremendous #2 in Julius Randle whom I believe would play well off of Dame, a head coach who’s got a track record of winning and success with a superstar point guard, and a front office with tons of cap space to play with over the next several years.

The time is now to make this move.

Both teams need the trade to happen. The Knicks are on the up and up and need a mega-star to bolster the roster.

The Blazers need to cut ties with Dame and rebuild. Dame has got to be getting frustrated by now.

At this point, they’re beating a dead horse. If they can’t beat a great team with that’s without their 2nd best player while being entirely healthy themselves…

They don’t stand a chance competing with the top dogs in the West.

@Leon Rose – do it!