Los Angeles Lakers superstar small forward LeBron James reportedly wants to play with Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian Lillard, according to Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
Lillard signed a five-year extension with the Blazers in 2015 and can’t become a free agent until 2021. If the Lakers were to trade for Lillard, they would most likely have to include Lonzo Ball, another young piece, and some draft picks.
“LeBron wants to play with Damian Lillard,” O'Connor said. “He’s one of the guys he’d like to play with and that’s the chatter around the league. It has been since before LeBron signed with the Lakers, it was one of the many indicators that he was heading there.”
Damian Lillard has consistently said he wants to retire with the Blazers, but in a rugged Western Conference, Portland might never even get out of the first round and big time free agents have never taken their talents to Rip City.
The three-time All-Star had another banner year last season. Lillard put up 26.9 points per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 36.1 percent from 3-point range. The Blazers, however, were swept in the first round of the 2018 playoffs by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Rajon Rondo will be the starting point guard for the Lakers this season, with Ball backing him up. Obviously, Lillard would be an upgrade to both of those players and is a good fit alongside LeBron James since he's a lethal 3-point shooter, can create his own shot off the dribble, and get to the basket and finish in heavy traffic.
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