Damian Lillard rumors are blowing up Monday after NBA insider Chris Haynes aid the Clippers, Timberwolves, Pelicans and Celtics are among the teams that have contacted the Blazers about trading for the superstar point guard.
What did Haynes say? If you’re hoping a Lillard for Karl-Anthony Towns deal is realistic, it’s not, according to Haynes. Here’s what he actually said compared to what you’re probably reading on social media.
“The Clippers, the Minnesota Timberwolves, the New Orleans Pelicans, the Boston Celtics, those are the teams off the top of my head – I’m pretty sure there were more – that I know called out to reach out to see what it would take [to trade for Lillard],” said Haynes, speaking with co-host Marc Stein on the #thisleague UNCUT podcast.
“Minnesota, obviously, if they’re trying to get in the Dame sweepstakes you know it would take Karl-Anthony Towns. But that was quickly eliminated, as well as all the other teams that tried. Well, I’m not going to say eliminated. I ain’t going to say New Orleans are eliminated. But the Clippers, I think they know that the chances are unlikely.”
There you have it. Just like has been reported previously by insiders like Jon Krawczynski, the idea of Lillard being traded to Minnesota “was quickly eliminated.”
Stein and Haynes are both convinced Lillard will end up in Miami.
“I’m really struggling to come up with a scenario that prevents that,” said Stein.
“That’s his first choice,” said Haynes.
Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, so it’s up to the Blazers to do right by their all-time leading scorer. Will they do that and sacrifice a better return in the process? We’ll all find out soon enough.
