So. The team is in a massive funk. Our worst problem is defense, especially perimeter defense (judging by how easily teams are shooting 3s against us). Our two best players are very similar: defensively-challenged, score-first combo guards. CJ is actually shooting much more efficiently recently, and is also currently pretty much impossible to trade (unless you involve Philly somehow). He's also been playing SG mostly, and small, defensively challenged SGs are not at a premium in the league (particularly given our shitty record). By far our best asset is Lillard. So: would you trade him? Advantages: you might get a really good player in return, preferably a frontcourt player. Our defense would almost certainly improve. Disadvantages: trade the player who's been MOST loyal to this small market? Who's said he wants to be here indefinitely? Who's been the face of the franchise? NOT a good look. And there's about zero % chance Olshey would do it, so you'd probably need to bring in a new GM if you really wanted it to happen. And Lillard has played nothing but PG. Could CJ really take over as PG? (More likely: start him and the also-pretty-much-untradeable Evan Turner together and have them share PG duties.) So - would you do it? Well, of course the answer is "it depends", so perhaps the better question would be "who would you agree to trade Lillard for?" (I know it's very very very very unlikely to happen, but this team sucks ass, so what else are we going to talk about?)
While it isn't going to happen there are a few players I would trade Lillard for. They are: Westbrook (yes he is a dick but triple-double threat every time) Davis (injuries make it scary but the dude puts up superstar numbers when healthy) Durant Greek Freak Kawhi LeBron Curry Short list and the other teams aren't likely interested so he stays which is just fine with me. Some big names I wouldn't trade him for: Harden (no D just like Dame plus I would puke watching him play) Cousins (he is very good but SAC isn't dealing from a position of strength - an overpay)
I think I'll give him a chance to show he is willing to improve on his defense first. I think that a new coaching staff/emphasis on defense will have a better impact on the team than trading Damian would.
That would be interesting indeed. I think the Bucks have a similar situation with Giannis and Jabari Parker that we have with CJ and Lillard (i.e., they overlap more than they obviously complement each other). But Giannis is probably as much the face of the franchise there as Lillard is here, and they're just starting to reap the benefits. I think they'd say no if it was suggested. But I'd be down.
No....trading Lillard is a dumb idea in my book..pairing him with 3 or 4 guys who give you 20 pts a night and defend would be the go to move
If it was ONLY a basketball decision, then yes - I'd consider trading Lillard. Why? Because he's a very good PG in a league FULL of very good PGs. For as much as I like Lillard I don't think he'll ever be Top 5, so it boils down to the fact that he probably isn't good enough to be considered untradeable. But because of this, I don't think we can trade him: It's kind of an unfortunate position to be in. We have to weigh character (ugh!) more heavily than talent when it comes to our marquee player. However, I'd like to see us worry less about character with our supporting players.
Nope. He is the face of the franchise, very likeable and has performed well. He needs to be surrounded with better players, put Curry or Westbrook in his place and Portland would still be doing badly.
If I was Olshey this is what I would do: I would call each player one at a time into my office. Sit them down and tell them that I've decided that the team needs to tank the rest of the season. That means I needs players to not play hard or care about winning for the rest of the season. The players that tell me to fuck off I keep. The players that agree to not care I would immediately try to trade, and that includes Lillard if he's in the agree not to care group.