Sir Charles in Charge
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NBA Trade Rumors: 5 blockbuster deals that make sense

By Michael Saenz

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers brings the ball down the court against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers brings the ball down the court against the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 22, 2018 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks to get past E’Twaun Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center on October 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won the game 103-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR – OCTOBER 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks to get past E’Twaun Moore #55 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives to the basket during the fourth quarter of the game at Moda Center on October 24, 2017 in Portland, Oregon. The Blazers won the game 103-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) /

Ben’s Trade

Heat get: Damian Lillard

Trail Blazers get: Goran Dragic, Tyler Johnson, Justise Winslow, Bam Adebayo, 2019 unprotected first round pick, 2022 second round pick.

Why it works: It’s time to free Dame. While Lillard and McCollum have formed one of the most polarizing backcourts in the NBA, it has only translated to early round playoff exits and all star snubs.

Portland is one of the NBA’s smallest markets, and as a result, they have not been able to retain or sign elite talent to surround Lillard. The Blazers are stuck in mediocrity, without enough talent to compete now, but with too much talent to receive a high draft choice. In today’s league that is a death sentence for a small market team like the Trail Blazers.

That is why the Blazers need to part ways with their star. Pat Riley and the Heat have demonstrated time and time again that they are looking to acquire a star, as they actively pursued both Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward before the Celtics landed the pair. Damian Lillard is a special talent with a larger than life personality who would thrive in a big market like Miami.

A core of Lillard and Whiteside, surrounded with quality talent would certainly attract other stars to Miami. Trading for Lillard would put the Heat on the right path to regain the Eastern Conference dominance they once possessed. While losing Lillard would definitively sting, the Blazers would walk away with a nice crop of young talent, and it would give McCollum space to blossom into a super star.

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