Knicks · Stephen A says Damian Lillard wants to play for Knicks (page 1)

Most optimistic view is this is true and means we may be able to get Lillard without trading the entire roster

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10009353-stephen-a-damian-lillard-has-knicks-as-no-1-destination-if-he-were-to-seek-trade

xavier wrote:Lillard has repeatedly said how much he loves MSG and that he would love to play there one day (in the sense that it would be his home court), but even if he ask for a trade and say NY is his only option, which he won’t do, the Blazers can trade him where they want. I just wouldn’t warm up about that story at all.

Might be naive to think the following, but in a way it could be true. I heard someone, don’t remember who, mention in a telecast that Lillard is one of those players that has earned the respect to make his team try to get him to his desired destination. Mentioned Harden with the Nets as an example of a team not having the best assets to offer but still getting the player because he wanted to go there.

I think the fact that this could be true and also the fact that NY does have assets to offer could make a trade for Lillard a possibility. I think we punted some picks and got back assets with the idea that Lillard or Beal could become available this offseason. Which also explains why NY hasn’t been rumored to have secured any FA, because they know they could need to absorb some contracts in a trade as big as one for either of the players mentioned above.

NYKMentality wrote:As long as R.J Barrett isn't involved then whatever but imo R.J. Barrett is untouchable at only 21 years old when in regards to a 31 year old who's got 3-5 years left in the tank.

No doubt RJ is being demanded by teams like the blazers, cavs and kings as part of any package

F that

Name aside, he is a 31 year old PG who is going to start sliding in the next 3 years.

joec32033 wrote:If they want Lillard, now is the time to trade for him. I agree Barrett is untouchable, but I am tired of hearing about trading for him in a year or 2. In a year or 2 he will be 33. Either get him now or move on and be done. And I say this more for the media who keeps saying he'll be a FA x amount of years or trade for him next year. That is stupid.

Name aside, he is a 31 year old PG who is going to start sliding in the next 3 years.

40 is the new 30 in the NBA. I don't see the Knicks making a trade for him but yet

gradyandrew wrote:

joec32033 wrote:If they want Lillard, now is the time to trade for him. I agree Barrett is untouchable, but I am tired of hearing about trading for him in a year or 2. In a year or 2 he will be 33. Either get him now or move on and be done. And I say this more for the media who keeps saying he'll be a FA x amount of years or trade for him next year. That is stupid.

Name aside, he is a 31 year old PG who is going to start sliding in the next 3 years.

40 is the new 30 in the NBA. I don't see the Knicks making a trade for him but yet

No it's not. Can you name me 10 40 year olds still balling in the NBA @ a high level of play?

Just because you see Chris Paul balling at 36 with a contract until he's 40 doesn't mean it's true/fact.

Chris Paul has always been known as an elite PT on the defensive end.

Dame Lillard at 31 is already known as one of the 3-5 worst defenders in all of basketball and he's only 31. By the time he's 34-35 he's going to be nothing more than a Melo type of bench player because his Defense is going to become so atrocious he'll literally need a wheelchair to play Defense.

The other night after FA I was disappointed but the more I think about it? Heck no.

In the 80’s and 90’s players careers were longer because the rules favored big men. All you had to do was be big and strong and you could play forever like Karl Malone and Patrick Ewing. Now the rules entirely favor slashing and shooting. Gotta be able to run

I think RJ can become an allstar. He has the size, toughness and skill. Would like to see him improve his shooting and agility and ball handling so he can create his own shot more and drain the open shots he has.

now...with that being said...I WOULD NOT make a Lillard trade because it would completely gut the Knicks bench and we would be stuck with another Melo situation.

Swishfm3 wrote:Saying RJ Barrett is "untouchable" is crazy. you most definitely trade Barrett for Dame Lillard. Are we really going to stop a trade for Lillard for Barrett???

Yes

And in 2 years you will be thanking me

jskinny35 wrote:No way would I trade RJ for any 30+ year old player not named Giannis, Lebron or Luka. You have 2 years of growth, good work ethic, improved shooting and a player that doesn't rely on athleticism to score most of the time. And he is respectable/decent on both sides of the ball.

Exactly.

And R.J. Barrett is our meal ticket to Zion Williamson too.

These kids are more than just friends; they're best friends and Duke brothers. They wanted to team up @ Duke together and now Zion wants to team up with R.J. as NY teammates too.

Disrespect R.J. Barrett by trading him away for "Damian Lillard" and Zion Williamson will never come here and this will never happen....

And neither will this...

I'm telling Knicks fans right now. Zion Williamson absolutely loves R.J. Barrett. R.J. is his BROTHER. Fk around and disrespect R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson isn't coming to N.Y. His bond is too strong and his loyalty is forreal to R.J. Trade away R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson will laugh @ NY come his Free Agency. These kids really have love for one another.

R.J. BARRETT IS THE MEAL TICKET TO ZION WILLIAMSON

The only reason it hasn't happen already is because the knicks are not to willing to give portland everything they want which includes both RJ and IQ

knicks1248 wrote:The from everything I'm hearing the Dame Trade is coming, it's just a matter of time.

The only reason it hasn't happen already is because the knicks are not to willing to give portland everything they want which includes both RJ and IQ

what are you hearing and from what source?
You actually have been in on the calls between the two teams?
You just insinuated the knicks position as if you know the reason this deal has yet to be consummated.

NYKMentality wrote:

jskinny35 wrote:No way would I trade RJ for any 30+ year old player not named Giannis, Lebron or Luka. You have 2 years of growth, good work ethic, improved shooting and a player that doesn't rely on athleticism to score most of the time. And he is respectable/decent on both sides of the ball.

Exactly.

And R.J. Barrett is our meal ticket to Zion Williamson too.

These kids are more than just friends; they're best friends and Duke brothers. They wanted to team up @ Duke together and now Zion wants to team up with R.J. as NY teammates too.

Disrespect R.J. Barrett by trading him away for "Damian Lillard" and Zion Williamson will never come here and this will never happen....

And neither will this...

I'm telling Knicks fans right now. Zion Williamson absolutely loves R.J. Barrett. R.J. is his BROTHER. Fk around and disrespect R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson isn't coming to N.Y. His bond is too strong and his loyalty is forreal to R.J. Trade away R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson will laugh @ NY come his Free Agency. These kids really have love for one another.

R.J. BARRETT IS THE MEAL TICKET TO ZION WILLIAMSON

Now that Doncic just signed his max extension, prove to me that Zion won't.

knicks1248 wrote:The from everything I'm hearing the Dame Trade is coming, it's just a matter of time.

The only reason it hasn't happen already is because the knicks are not to willing to give portland everything they want which includes both RJ and IQ

The only reason??

Ummmm, not sure to how to tell your sources this, but Lillard makes $43.8m this season.

So the OTHER reason this isn't happening right now is unless they reneg on some multiple combo of Fournier, Walker, Rose, Burks and Noel (none of whom they can trade until December) Knicks don't have nearly enough cap space to absorb Lillard's salary. They'd have to send Portland $35.02m MINIMUM to make a deal.

Barrett, Knox, Toppin, Vildoza, Quickley and Robinson together only equal $26.8m.

So unless Randle is being discussed too, there is NO legal way to make a deal right now or anytime soon, with or without RJ.

I'd be very surprised if "the only reason it hasn't already happened" is because a.) they're going to ditch the deals with some of the new free agents; or b.) they're discussing a December deal.

Seems more likely you're just getting bad info from someone who doesn't understand the salary cap.

Knickoftime wrote:

knicks1248 wrote:The from everything I'm hearing the Dame Trade is coming, it's just a matter of time.

The only reason it hasn't happen already is because the knicks are not to willing to give portland everything they want which includes both RJ and IQ

The only reason??

Ummmm, not sure to how to tell your sources this, but Lillard makes $43.8m this season.

So the OTHER reason this isn't happening right now is unless they reneg on some multiple combo of Fournier, Walker, Rose, Burks and Noel (none of whom they can trade until December) Knicks don't have nearly enough cap space to absorb Lillard's salary. They'd have to send Portland $35.02m MINIMUM to make a deal.

Barrett, Knox, Toppin, Vildoza, Quickley and Robinson together only equal $26.8m.

So unless Randle is being discussed too, there is NO legal way to make a deal right now or anytime soon, with or without RJ.

I'd be very surprised if "the only reason it hasn't already happened" is because a.) they're going to ditch the deals with some of the new free agents; or b.) they're discussing a December deal.

Seems more likely you're just getting bad info from someone who doesn't understand the salary cap.

At no point did I say it will be in the coming Days, I said its a matter of time.

Your right there will some of our vets will be included

I did even know this about Kemba's deal

The second season has been reported to be a team option, so the loss on Kemba’s end may just be a little more painful if the second year of the contract is not realized.

Trading Dame will not only net them a bunch of draft picks, but they will have a quite a few flexible contracts