The NBA offseason is here, which means the Knicks’ star chase is in full force. Perhaps the biggest name that could become available as soon as this week is Damian Lillard, who has long been linked to New York.
He has yet to make a trade request and Portland wouldn’t want to deal with him without, so for now that remains a pipe dream. But if the Blazers keep their third overall pick instead of trading him for a winning player, that might be all Lillard needs to finally ask out.
Should the seven-time All-Star request a trade, he won’t be able to force himself into a preferred destination for a minimal return to Bradley Beal, since he doesn’t have a no-trade clause. While Portland will be loyal to their greatest player in franchise history, they will also be demanding an astronomical return. And so they should. Lillard is averaging 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists on 57.4% shooting from two points and 37.1% three-point shooting in 2022-23, making him third team All -NBA.