Lakers Trade Rumors: How LA can land Damian Lillard in the summer

Here’s what it would take for Portland to make a deal

Los Angeles has already let it be out in the open that they plan on getting rid of Jordan Clarkson either somehow by the February trade deadline, or early in the summer to make room for extra cap space to go after big names.

Getting a Lillard deal done with Portland would give them a star, while getting rid of Clarkson in addition to others, and still having plenty of money to work with. Assuming that Clarkson doesn’t get sent somewhere mid-season or is the result of a different trade that the front office pursues, it makes a lot of sense for Portland in this case — but only if Lillard demands he wants out.

A back court of Clarkson and C.J. McCollum would be dangerous and fun to watch, but that wouldn’t be all that it’d take for Lillard to come to Los Angeles. The Lakers would be wise to give up as much as they can if this chance arose, especially if they want to address concerns over LaVar Ball’s impact on the organization moving forward in addition to giving Lonzo Ball and company a great group to play with and be around.

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In addition, I see the Lakers being willing to part ways with Larry Nance Jr. and Ivica Zubac.

Even then, there’s going to be some that will instantly ask why another point guard would even make sense for the Lakers if the future is Lonzo Ball — and I am glad you asked.

Because of the way that Lillard and McCollum have had to co-exist so far in their time with the Blazers, playing alongside Lonzo Ball, in my opinion, would actually make Lillard’s game and what he brings to the table much more valuable.

We saw how good James Harden could play point guard in his one season of switching positions while in Houston before Chris Paul arrived and it nearly landed him an MVP trophy. So why do we think that Lillard would be incapable of that kind of transition with a new team?

Also, since Lillard and McCollum are the go-to players in Portland, having both Ball and potentially Paul George in addition to a better developed Kyle Kuzma takes a lot of the pressure off of Lillard, which could also factor into better numbers for the veteran guard.

Finally, Portland says yes to this deal because Lillard will force their hand if he’s not willing to keep waiting for them to be legitimate while the Lakers are building a contender rather quickly with still having tons of young, fun talent to play with.

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It makes sense for both sides if the veteran guard and the Portland organization don’t see eye to eye in the near future, and would be an absolute steal for Los Angeles.