NBA Trade Rumors: 5 Non-Heat blockbuster deals to end Damian Lillard saga

Damian Lillard (Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports)
Damian Lillard (Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports)
3 of 6

Damian Lillard to New Orleans Pelicans

On the surface, you may not be sold on the idea of Damian Lillard being traded to the New Orleans Pelicans. However, when you think about it a bit more, it does make sense not only for Lillard but also for the Portland Trail Blazers. If – and this is a big if – the Pelicans would be open to the idea of trading Zion Williamson, this hypothetical becomes even more of a possibility. But, again, this is far from a certainty at this point.

A package centered around Zion could go a long way in the Blazers finding fair value in exchange for Lillard. In this deal, the Pelicans would send Zion, Dyson Daniels, Jordan Hawkins, and two future first-round picks to the Blazers for Lillard. Portland would get an intriguing and developing talent in Daniels, a possible sure thing in Zion, and another prospect in Hawkins. The two future picks don’t hurt either.

The Pelicans would get Lillard and be able to roll out a big three of CJ McCollum, Lillard, and Brandon Ingram. Not to mention the strong supporting cast that the Pelicans would still have on its roster.