Damian Lillard wants to be moved. That’s not understatement. The Pelicans want to contend, but with a superstar on the roster that doesn’t have the work ethic and injury history to help them. What if the two teams swapped problems?

Why The New Orleans Pelicans Do This

Lillard wants to go to a contender, and New Orleans is just the right place. Brandon Ingram is the perfect secondary scorer next to Lillard, and McCollum is a great third option who’s already been around Lillard. The Pelicans also have great, young, athletic defenders like Murphy, Jones, and Alverado, and those 3 are already getting better. The Pelicans also have the picks and assets to add another star alongside Ingram and Lillard, like Pascal Siakam for example. Pairing Lillard up with CJ again would also be something fans would love to see.

While Zion is the Pelican’s cornerstone, for a contending team, a sluggish player who can’t stay in shape isn’t the piece you want. Lillard plays a lot more games on average than Zion, and will show up almost every game for your team in the clutch. The Pelicans also lack a true locker room leader, and a Top 75 veteran like Lillard can fill that role. Overall, Lillard is the perfect piece for New Orleans in my opinion, and can really have an impact there if he gets traded there.

Why The Portland Trailblazers Do This

Investing in Zion instead of getting a haul of picks for Lillard is somewhat risky but also an amazing investment if it works out. Zion, while frequently injured, is a 25/5/5 machine, and can be a franchise corner piece next to the three young Blazer guards in Henderson, Simons, and Sharpe. Zion is only 23, and Portland is the perfect place for him to expand and grow his name with no expectations. Zion harness his game in a new atmosphere and may finally be the piece that takes Portland to the top. Remember, hes one of the youngest all stars ever and for his career averages 26 ppg.

Larry Nance can also serve as a backup 5, which Portland lacks at the moment. Nance can also be flipped at the deadline for a younger player or a pick or two, if he doesn’t work out. The Blazers also get two firsts from New Orleans, which will also help Portland down the road in this scenario, wether they blow it up and use them to draft a young star, or in a trade to bring in talent. Either way, it works out for them. Overall, if a Zion Williamson deal is on the table, Portland should take it over a Herro + picks package from Miami.

New Orleans Pelicans Starting 5:

• Damian Lillard

• CJ McCollum

• Brandon Ingram

• Trey Murphy III

• Jonas Valanciunas

New Orleans Pelicans Bench Rotation:

• Jose Alverado

• Dyson Daniels/Jordan Hawkins

• Naji Marshall

• Herbert Jones

• Cody Zeller

Portland Trailblazers Starting 5:

• Scoot Henderson

• Anfernee Simons

• Jerami Grant

• Zion Williamson

• Jusuf Nurkic

Portland Trailblazers Bench Rotation:

• Keon Johnson

• Shaedon Sharpe

• Matisse Thybulle

• Nassir Little/Kris Murray

• Larry Nance Jr.