NBA pending free agent Draymond Green is expected to re-sign with the Warriors, but a Bay Area native would like to see the Golden State forward pack his bags for Portland.
The Athletic’s Sam Amick reported Monday, citing sources, that signing Green with the Trail Blazers would be a “dream scenario” for superstar Damian Lillard as the point guard considers a future in Portland.
Lillard has been loyal to the Blazers since they selected No. 6 overall in the 2012 NBA draft, but trade rumors have recently picked up as Portland missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time ever. guard’s career.
Making a move, as Amick suggests, like re-signing forward Jerami Grant and adding Green could convince Lillard to stay. But the Blazers would face an uphill battle to make them work financially.
“While the Blazers have the rights to Grant’s Bird and can therefore re-sign him despite going over the salary cap, they currently have no room to sign someone of Green’s ilk,” Amick wrote. There are signaling and trade routes to explore, and likely with a third team to be involved, but that’s an unlikely prospect to say the least.
“And again, all the signs point to Green wanting to stay put. [with Golden State].”
The high point of Lillard’s playoff career was the 2019 Western Conference Finals when the Warriors swept the Trail Blazers in four games. He hasn’t been absent from the first round of the playoffs since. The Trail Blazers are ready for the future with a young core of Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe and 2023 No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson, but Lillard is ready to win now.
Many teams, including Portland, would love to add Green’s defensive toughness to their locker room. But still, all signs point to Green returning with longtime teammates Steph Curry and Klay Thompson to the Bay.
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