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Grade the Trade: Golden State Warriors bring Lillard back home in new pitch

By Josh Cornelissen

PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OREGON - MAY 18: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers dribbles against Draymond Green #23 of the Golden State Warriors during the first half in game three of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Moda Center on May 18, 2019 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
Damian Lillard and Draymond Green. Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images /

Would the Warriors accept this deal?

The offensive powerhouse that the Warriors would put together in San Francisco would have the potential to be one of the best of all time. Among all players in NBA history (minimum 2,000 attempts) Stephen Curry ranks first at 3.8 3-pointers per game. Klay Thompson ranks fourth. Third on that list? Damian Lillard.

The strain on defenses trying to stop the off-ball movement of Steph, Klay and Dame would be immeasurable. Successfully snuff out the off-ball action, and either Steph or Dame can then attack the defense off the dribble, with a stepback or blow-by equally on the cards. Oh, and the other will still be racing around off the ball.

Defensively there are certainly big question marks, the Warriors will be small and Lillard doesn’t have the defensive IQ of someone like Paul. It’s a hurdle to be overcome, but not more so than with Jordan Poole; Lillard is likely a better defender than Poole was last season. The offense would need to score a lot to strengthen that weakness, but that’s not out of the question.

What about the value? Losing Kuminga and Payton II hurts, and the Warriors certainly need particularly the latter more than ever. They would be trading every available first, including most or all of the remaining equity on their 2030 pick. That’s a lot to give up, and will hamper their future.

Their present, however? It would be incredible to watch. Lillard may have preferred Miami, but there is every reason to think he would also appreciate playing near home in The Bay. The Warriors are trying to win right now, and trading for Lillard boosts that possibility in a spectacular way.

Next. Winners and Losers: Draymond gets $100 million. dark

Grade: A

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