The Phoenix Suns are currently in the NBA Finals where they may earn a championship. The organization is on the right path towards future success, as most of the roster is young. Devin Booker looks to become the face of the NBA, while Deandre Ayton could turn into one of the best centers in the league.
The Portland Trail Blazers on the other hand have a talented roster, but were bounced out in the first round for the second consecutive year in a row. This franchise has a knack for making playoff appearences, but can't get over the hump and win a championship. It may be time for the team to make some big changes this offseason.
It's more likely that CJ McCollum get's traded, but Damian Lillard is gaining all of the interest from the league. Trade rumors regarding Lillard have been swirling since Portland's elimination in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. It seems everyone is in the market to acquire Damian Lillard. However, to do so, a franchise is going to have to give up a ton of capital, as Lillard is a top two point guard in the league.
With the Suns in the Finals right now, the front office has to be looking into the future of their franchise. It's likely Chris Paul accepts his player option, but at 36 years old, trading him might make the most sense for the Suns if they hope to be in the Finals in 2022. With that said, here is the perfect the Suns must offer the Blazers to acquire Damian Lillard.
Trade Chris Paul and 4 first-round picks for Damian Lillard
Lillard comes at a steep price. However, make a move to team him up with the Suns' young core creates the potential for Phoenix to become a dynasty. Damian Lillard has multiple years left on his contract, so giving up four first-round picks shouldn't be too much of a problems for the Suns. They'd get younger at the point guard position, while eliminating roughly $9 million in cap space, as Lillard's contract is cheaper than Paul's. Having Lillard in Phoenix catapults the Suns into the stratasphere of the NBA, as most teams won't be able to keep up with a Lillard, Booker, and Ayton trio.
As for the Trail Blazers, they'd pick up Chris Paul and four first round picks. Paul has proven to be consistent even in his later years, so he should be able to play at a high level in 2022. Chris Paul is not at the same level as Damian Lillard, but it's not like the Blazers are acquiring a chump either. Jusuf Nurkic would benefit greatly with Chris Paul playing point guard, as center's tend to perform well with Paul. The four first-round draft picks gives the Trail Blazers something to build with while remaining competitive. They could either use the picks, or use them as trade bait to build a stronger roster. The front office would have plenty of options with multiple first-round selections at their disposal.
Keep an eye on the Phoenix Suns after the NBA Finals. With the success they're having, this organization is likely to be aggressive in the offseason. They could make a big free agent signing, or even make a trade for a superstar like Damian Lillard.
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