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Kevin Garnett backs idea of 7-time All-Star being traded to Knicks

By Jordanna Clark

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics in action against Tyson Chandler #6 of the New York Knicks during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2013 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Celtics 87-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 23: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics in action against Tyson Chandler #6 of the New York Knicks during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs on April 23, 2013 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Celtics 87-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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It’s rare that you see a former Celtics and Nets player advocating for a superstar to be traded to the New York Knicks, but that’s exactly what Kevin Garnett wants to see. With Shams Charania of The Athletic speculating whether or not Damian Lillard will play another game for the Trail Blazers, the 32-year-old has already been “linked” to the Knicks.

On Tuesday, it was confirmed by Chris Haynes that Lillard would be out for the remainder of the season after he hadn’t played since March 22 with a nagging calf injury. Portland has since been eliminated from playoff contention, so their season will be over in a little over a week.

Lillard is still owed $216 million over the next four seasons, so if he is traded, the Trail Blazers would get a lot in return for him. Although he hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down on the court (he dropped a career-high 71 points this season), he will be 33 in July and has dealt with his fair share of injuries.

New York has the first-round picks and young players to entice Portland to get a deal done, which is what Garnett is hoping will happen.

Kevin Garnett explains why he wants to see a Knicks-Blazers Damian Lillard trade

On Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce’s latest ‘Ticket & The Truth’ episode, the duo discussed the Knicks’ ceiling. Damian Lillard came up as a topic of conversation and Garnett explained his case as to why he believes the guard would be considered “one of the best to ever do it” if he winded up in New York.

Garnett said that if Lillard would’ve scored 71 points in the Garden as a Knick, “it’d be bigger than life.” He added that if that trade were to happen, he and Pierce would have to go and catch a game.

Pierce then wondered what New York would have to give up in return. The first player that he mentioned was Immanuel Quickley, but Garnett didn’t like that. KG said that Quickley, Bones Hyland, and Tyrese Maxey are three of his favorite young players in the game. Pierce believes that the Knicks would have to at least give up Quickley and RJ Barrett, which likely isn’t an idea that most New York fans are too fond of.

Truth be told, there is likely a large chunk of the fan base that would rather see Barrett go to Portland rather than Quickley. That’s how much of an impact IQ has had this year, while RJ’s inconsistencies have continued to hold him back.

A Damian Lillard-Knicks trade seems like a long shot even though the organization could put together a package that the Blazers would likely jump at. Still, because of Lillard’s star status, New York would be viewed as a possible team for the guard if Portland were open to trading him. That’s how it goes when you have a chest of first-round picks.

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