The Denver Nuggets are expected to be one the most active teams on the trade market in the 2021 offseason. After suffering a second-round sweep at the hands of the Phoenix Suns in the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Nuggets obviously still need to improve their roster around reigning MVP Nikola Jokic in order to have a realistic chance of fully dominating the Western Conference and contending for the NBA championship title.
If they are serious about reaching the next level next year, the Nuggets should strongly consider using Michael Porter Jr. as the main trade chip to acquire an established superstar this summer.
Damian Lillard To Mile High City
One of the dream trade targets for the Nuggets in the 2021 offseason is All-Star point guard Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers. In a recent article, Greg Patuto of NBA Analysis Network included the Nuggets on the list of teams that could offer the best trade package for Lillard this summer.
In the proposed trade scenario by Patuto, the Nuggets would be acquiring Lillard from the Trail Blazers in exchange for a package that includes Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon, Monte Morris, and future draft picks.
Damian Lillard Could Turn Nuggets Into Legitimate Title Contender
The Nuggets should no longer think twice before giving up MPJ to get Lillard from Portland. The successful acquisition of Lillard would be a franchise-altering move for the Nuggets. Pairing him with Jamal Murray and Jokic in Mile High City would turn the Nuggets from an average playoff contender into one of the heavy favorites to capture the Larry O’Brien Trophy in the 2021-22 NBA season.
Lillard, Murray, and Jokic would still need time to find the perfect chemistry but once they mesh well on the court, the Nuggets could form a formidable “Big Three” next year.
Damian Lillard On-Court Impact On Nuggets
Lillard would give the Nuggets a major backcourt upgrade and help them further improve their offensive efficiency that rank No. 7 in the league, scoring 114.2 points per 100 possessions, per ESPN. In Lillard, the Nuggets would be adding one of the league’s best clutch scorers, as well as an incredible playmaker, and an elite three-point shooter.
This season, Lillard had another monstrous performance, averaging 28.8 points, 4.2 rebounds, and7.5 assists while shooting 45.1 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from beyond the arc, per ESPN.
Damian Lillard Would Welcome A Trade To Nuggets
Lillard may not have shown a strong indication that he’s no longer happy in Portland but if they don’t have a clear plan to build a title-contending roster around him this summer, he might be better off demanding a trade from the Trail Blazers and starting a new journey somewhere else. Though they are not a big-market team, joining forces with Jokic and Murray in Denver would give Lillard a better chance of reaching the NBA Finals and winning his first NBA championship title next year.
Helping the Nuggets end their title drought would help Lillard cement his status as one of the best point guards in league history.
