The Portland Trail Blazers' 2020-21 season didn't go as hoped thanks to another first-round exit, resulting in head coach Terry Stotts getting fired. There have been plenty of rumors surrounding the future of Damian Lillard, with rumblings that he's unhappy and could look to demand a trade in the near future.
If Lillard does ask out, every single other team should get on the phone and make an offer. While the Detroit Pistons aren't the first team to come to mind for a Lillard destination, they could make an intriguing offer for the six-time All-Star thanks to the NBA Draft Lottery victory that gave them the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft.
Here's the basic framework of a trade offer the Pistons can make for Damian Lillard, with the potential to include more if necessary.
Pistons trade the 2021 No. 1 overall pick, Cory Joseph, Josh Jackson, and Mason Plumlee for Damian Lillard
Certainly enough, the 2021 first overall pick is the centerpiece of the trade from the side of the Pistons. Talents such as Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, or Evan Mobley could all help a Portland side that would start from scratch after failing to attain success with Damian Lillard in their corner over the past seasons.
In order to make space for the arrival of Lillard, the Pistons would also be giving away a veteran point guard in Cory Joseph. Complementary guys such as Josh Jackson and Mason Plumlee will also be included in the mix. More salary might have to be included depending on the timing of the trade.
Lillard would be going to a Pistons team that was wallowing in mediocrity before losing a lot of games this season. However, there's some promise on this roster already.
Lillard would be of great help in further developing Jerami Grant, who broke out with a career-best 22.3 points and 2.8 assists per game.
Aside from Grant, a young point guard in Killian Hayes would also greatly benefit from Lillard's arrival, though he could also be a candidate to go in a trade for Dame. Other promising talents such as Saddiq Bey, Saben Lee, and Sekou Doumbouya are also part of the supporting cast for Detroit.
Additionally, center Isaiah Stewart is worth mentioning after he just concluded a solid rookie season. The departure of Plumlee along with the elite playmaking skills of Lillard would definitely help him contribute and reach his potential. Stewart, like the other young guys, could also be trade chips in a potential deal if more was needed to get the job done.
Apart from getting an MVP-caliber player in Lillard, the buzz that he would bring to Detroit would definitely help attract free agents during the offseason, especially for a small-market team like the Pistons. After several years of failing to contend for the title in a stacked Western Conference, perhaps moving to the East would be an easier path for Lillard to have a greater chance of getting his first ring.
The Blazers have yet to make Damian Lillard available through trade, but it wouldn't hurt the Pistons to hit the phones, especially with the promising haul that they can offer in exchange for the star point guard.
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