Damian Lillard shocked the basketball world when he signed a three-year, $42 million contract to return to the Portland Trail Blazers. The move gave a huge boost to the Knicks as they enter a multi-year stretch where they believe they can compete for a championship. Not only is Lillard no longer in the Eastern Conference, but the Trail Blazers kept him from signing with New York's arch rival, the Boston Celtics, who reportedly had interest.
Lillard likely won't play a minute this season, after he tore his left Achilles tendon during the Bucks Game 4 matchup against the Indiana Pacers. Still, he is one of the best shooters to ever play the game, and would have given the Celtics a huge boost if he chose to sign with Boston.
Several of the Knicks' biggest rivals are at a disadvantage this season. The Bucks were forced to waive the injured Lillard to make room to sign Myles Turner. The Celtics will be without their All-NBA superstar Jayson Tatum, who suffered an Achilles tendon tear of his own in the playoffs. Then you have the Pacers, their superstar guard Tyrese Haliburton also tore his Achilles tendon, while they also lost Turner to the Bucks.
The Knicks have a special opportunity to capitalize on their rivals' shortcomings. They bolstered their bench, one of their greatest weaknesses last season, while hiring a new coach who seems poised to optimize their superstars better than Tom Thibodeau could. Now, Lillard is departing to the other side of the country.
Lillard is still a superstar
Things never fully clicked between Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo while Lillard was on the Bucks. What seemed poised to be a lethal pick-and-roll duo never materialized and finally came to an end with a devastating injury. Still, Lillard is an incredibly dangerous shooter who comes at a discount.
Last season, he ranked in the 98th percentile in offensive Estimated Plus-Minus, with the 11th-highest mark in the league. He averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 37.6 percent on 3-pointers.
Even coming off a major injury at 35 years old, his impact is undeniable, and it would have formed a dangerous duo with Tatum in Boston. Instead, Portland to the rescue! Once again, a chip has fallen in the Knicks' favor. Ultimately, time will tell if they are able to capitalize on their good fortune, but it is hard to deny that they are entering their championship window in great conditions.