Portland turns Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic, Nassir Little and Keon Johnson into:
Deandre Ayton
Robert Williams III
Toumani Camara
Evan Fournier
Marcus Morris
Nicholas Batum
2024 1st via BOS
2025 1st via MIL
2029 1st via MIL
2029 1st via BOS
2029 1st via LAC
2028 + 2030 pick swaps
Why teams do it:
76ers: Philadelphia have reportedly shown interest in Jerami Grant. A nice 3+D wing could be valuable on a championship contending team. It would help take pressure off of Maxey and Embiid at some points in the game. Quentin Grimes is also a developing young guard who could fit into a bigger role at Philly. They are also getting off of big contracts in Morris and Batum; even though they’re expiring contracts, it still clears a rough 40 mil.
Knicks: Malcolm Brogdon provides a unique skill set and experience that could help the Knicks develop and contend in the East. Plus they are getting off of Evan Fournier’s contract.
Blazers: Portland are giving up two key pieces of the rotation in order to get future draft picks and clear a lot of cap space off of expiring contracts. The Damian Lillard haul would be massive in the case. Marcus Morris and Nic Batum are here for only about 4-6 months (until end of season when contracts expire) and they could help the young guys at the Blazers develop further.