Lakers News: LA Misses Out On Damian Lillard Trade, But Can Still Acquire All-Star PG

The NBA decided that it wanted to be extra on a random Wednesday in September, as the Portland Trail Blazers finally traded All-Star point guard Damian Lillard. But instead of trading him to the Miami Heat like most people expected all summer, Llliard now heads to Milwaukee to team up with Giannis Antetokounmpo on the Bucks.

Giannis and Lillard together with the Bucks pic.twitter.com/YTgeXEfiip
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023

It was a trade that somewhat came out of nowhere, considering that the Bucks were never mentioned as a landing spot for the All-Star. In return, the Trail Blazers will be acquiring point guard Jrue Holiday, an unprotected 2029 first-round pick from the Bucks and the right to swap first-round picks with Milwaukee in 2028 and 2030.

They also are landing center Deandre Ayton and rookie Toumani Camara from the Phoenix Suns, making this a loaded three-team deal. It is being reported that the Blazers have no plans to keep Holiday and that they are engaging with contenders on a possible trade.

The Blazers remain engaged elsewhere on deals and will are expected to immediately engage contending teams on trade talks to move on Jrue Holiday, sources tell ESPN. Portland is committed to its young group of talented guards. https://t.co/6IR7bcFVrr
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 27, 2023

So could the Lakers get involved to acquire the former All-Star guard?

If LA wanted to get Holiday, they would need to offer up their 2029 first-round pick in any deal. They would also need to likely wait until December to make a trade, because most of their tradeable contracts don't become trade-eligible until December 15th.

Guys like D'Angelo Russell, Rui Hachimura and others could be interesting for Portland if they hold onto Holiday until then. Especially someone like Russell could be of interest to the Blazers because he could bring cap space relief after this season.

Holiday also has a $37 million player option for next season, and the Lakers probably wouldn't want to take that on.

In all likelihood, a deal to get Holiday for LA remains unlikely, and they seem keen on entering the year with the core they have in place. But it would be foolish for General Manager Rob Pelinka to not at least make a call to Portland to see what it could take.

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