When news broke of the Portland Trail Blazers plan to trade their superstar, Damian Lillard, it signaled the end of an era and was a harsh reminder of the transient nature of professional basketball. Without its cornerstone player, there’s no denying Portland will shift from an era of win-now basketball to a rebuilding phase.
This begs the question: Should the Trail Blazers let go of their remaining high-value older veteran players as well? The answer, though not comforting to some, is a resounding “yes.”
3 other veterans the Trail Blazers should deal after a Damian Lillard trade
First, let’s consider the team’s performance in the 2022-23 season.