Golden State Warriors versatile star Draymond Green shrugged off Damian Lillard’s comments that the Portland Trail Blazers can give the defending champions a run for their money if they acquire Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks. Green told Lillard to “give it a break” after the latter wished the Warriors “good luck” if the Blazers get the 10-time All-Star Anthony.
Earlier, Lillard and teammate CJ McCollum were reported to be convincing Anthony to include the Blazers to his list of preferred trade destinations. McCollum, in an interview with The Oregonian, said Anthony would make the Blazers a top-three team in the West if he agrees to be traded to Portland.
However, Anthony said he’s not interested in playing for the Trail Blazers. Despite this, Lillard and McCollum remain hopeful that Anthony will eventually change his mind. Lillard told the Warriors “good luck” if the Blazers get Anthony and they meet in next year’s playoffs. During the Warriors’ march to the title last season, they swept Lillard and the Blazers in the opening round of the postseason.
Blazers to join four-team trade if they land Anthony
The Blazers expressed willingness to join a four-team trade involving Anthony, but they want them to land the superstar and not to a Western Conference rival like the Houston Rockets, one of Anthony’s two preferred destinations, the other being the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Rockets have already initiated trade talks with the Knicks, offering power forward Ryan Anderson for Anthony. However, the remaining three years and $61 million in Anderson's deal hindered the transaction. The Rockets then tapped two more teams in the negotiation where they can get the needed pieces to convince the Knicks to give them Anthony.
Blazers have pieces to trade for Anthony
The Blazers may trade the combo of Maurice Harkless, Ed Davis, and Al-Farouq Aminu to the Knicks for Anthony, who will earn $26.2 million next season. The Knicks are interested in Harkless as they have targeted him in the past while they can easily dispose of Al-Aminu’s $15-million deal.
Portland can also come up with another group of players, including Harkless, Davis and Meyers Leonard for Anthony. The Blazers can add a 2018 first-round pick if the Knicks are willing to accommodate the remaining $30 million on Leonard's contract. The Blazers can also offer Harkless, Allen Crabbe and the Blazers’ 2018 first- and second-round draft picks for Anthony.
