Lillard Trade: 5 Teams Call Blazers; 2 Reasons Why Luka’s Mavs Should Bid
DALLAS - Do the Dallas Mavericks have the need for another guard, even a superstar one in the form of ? Not exactly - or at least, not compared to the “defense and rebounding” need.
Do the Mavs have the ammo to get involved now that Damian Lillard has (finally) expressed a desire to exit Portland? Not exactly again.
So why should we suggest the Mavericks even bother with entering the bidding now that “Dame Time” is a “Time Out”?
Two reasons: GM Nico Harrison and star Luka Doncic.
We know that Dame seems to favor the Miami Heat, and we don’t blame him. We also know that the New York Knicks have the muscle to get involved.
And now, per Chris Haynes, we know that a few other teams have called the Blazers on Lillard, including the Los Angels Clippers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Boston Celtics and New Orleans Pelicans.
And not all of those teams are more attractive destinations - in our Dallas-centric opinion. Now, having said that: We recognize the pipe-dream'y obstacles here. With just-signed Kyrie Irving not being trade-eligible at this time, that wrinkle is not in play. So ... others have less-bare cupboards.
But all of those others also lack a Luka, who is openly admired by fellow superstar Dame. And Dallas also employs Nico as the GM, with his strongest attributes - among what Mavs fans hope are many - being his Nike-and-more connections.
If the high-powered exec worked at Nike HQ in Portland, the same town in which Dame, 32, toiled for a decade?
We are going to assume a relationship exists … reason enough for the Mavs to make an exploratory phone call. Could that lead to Dallas getting involved in a three-way that facilitates Dame's move and helps the Mavs roster? And while they're at it, might has well even offer their best pitch to and about a player in Dame who does not “fill a need” … unless you’re a team like the Mavs, who “need” excellence.
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