We know that the Celtics want to extend JB but they haven’t really specified if they’re willing to offer him the super max and with them getting KP and possibly extending him this may cause them to be even more reluctant/hesitant to give JB the super max and possibly result in a failed contract extension negotiation between both sides.

So in order for us to get Dame, 2 likely things need to happen.

Dame has to request a trade/Portland needs to make him available for trade which is a very realistic possibility considering that Dame may not be pleased with the off-season additions

The Celtics and JB disagree on a contract extension amount and don’t want to risk losing him in FA next off-season with him only having 1 year left on his contract. If these 2 things happen which again is likely, could spark Dame for JB trade talks between the Blazers and Celtics with them both likely being available

With JB on the trade market the Celtics would likely target a star PG considering the departure of Marcus Smart, and eventually Malcolm Brogdon in any star deal to make the money work. D White last season has also shown us that he is more than capable of taking over the starting SG position for the C’s. Celtics also reunite with Marcus Morris Sr. who gives them veteran experience, mental toughness, and an insurance policy if Grant Williams leaves via FA. Blazers get Jaylen Brown, a young up & coming super star, a future FRP and 2 SRP’s, along with Payton Pritchard who would likely be their young backup PG and former Oregon native. It appears that the Blazers want to send Dame to a contender while getting the best trade package available and honestly I don’t see a better team that can offer this good of a package while still being contenders, if not the favorites. This also allows the Blazers to rebuild around a core of Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons, Jaylen Brown, and even Shaedon Sharpe…

The Clippers have expressed serious interest in Malcom Brogdon and the only reason they didn’t trade for him in the KP 3 team trade was because KP had to pick up his PO by midnight and didn’t have time to get a physical on Brogdon. But like any logical team, the Clippers didn’t want to take a chance on trading for him without knowing the severity of the injury. Fortunately it was later revealed that even if Brogdon were to have surgery he would be good to go by the start of the season.

Blazers:

PG- Scoot Henderson

SG- Anfernee Simons

SF- Jaylen Brown

PF- Jerami Grant

C- Jusuf Nurkic

6- Payton Pritchard

7- Shaedon Sharpe

8- Nassir Little

9- Khris Murray

Celtics:

PG- Damian Lillard

SG- Derrick White

SF- Jayson Tatum

PF- Kristaps Porzingis

C- Robert Williams

6- MLE Player (Derrick Rose, Lonnie Walker, Seth Curry, Eric Gordon, Will Barton)

7- Marcus Morris Sr.

8- Al Horford

9- Grant Williams

Clippers:

PG- Russell Westbrook

SG- Malcolm Brogdon

SF- Paul George

PF- Kawhi Leonard

C- Ivan Zubac

6- Bones Hyland

7- Terrance Mann

8- Nic Batum

9- Robert Covington