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Grade the Trade: Knicks join Lillard deal in latest 3-team idea

By Josh Cornelissen

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers controls the ball against Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the game at Moda Center on March 14, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The New York Knicks won 123-107. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers controls the ball against Mitchell Robinson #23 of the New York Knicks during the game at Moda Center on March 14, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The New York Knicks won 123-107. 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 Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 29: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat in action against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 29, 2023 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Heat 101-92. 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) /

What a 3-team Lillard trade could look like

The Portland Trail Blazers have a number of suitors for Damian Lillard, but many of those teams are reluctant to blow Portland away because of Lillard’s stated focus on the Miami Heat. The problem for the Heat, however, is that a major part of their trade package is Tyler Herro, a player the guard-flush Blazers have little interest in.

To get a deal done, therefore, the Heat need someone interested in trading for Tyler Herro and sending back a draft pick or two. The Knicks have a few extra picks at their disposal and could raise their hand to be the helping hand for a Lillard trade. Here’s what it could look like:

The Miami Heat land their guy, getting Damian Lillard to pair with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. In this construction, they retain much of their rotation as well, with Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin still in place to fill out the starting lineup. Taking on Evan Fournier is the price of doing business here.

The Trail Blazers get two recent first-round picks in Jaime Jaquez and Nikola Jovic, with two picks coming from Miami and two from the Knicks. In New York’s case, they will send the 2024 picks from Dallas and Washington; a rebuilding team like Portland is better served by a pick that will likely roll out into the future a few years, as the Washington pick will. Isaiah Hartenstein is a passable starting center, and Kyle Lowry is on an expiring deal and is a prime candidate to be waived.

If this is enough of a return for Portland to say yes, the question swings to the Knicks. Would New York say yes to this deal?

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