An interesting trade between OKC/Portland.

NetsWorld · Post #1 » by **NetsWorld** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:03 am

I would just like to state ahead of time that this trade may never come to fruition but would like to propose this situation to kind of stabilize the situation of both teams.

Damian Lillard is a young up and coming 24 year old point guard who can pass, score and just flat out play team basketball.
Russel Westbrook is a combo guard who can flat out score in bunches and take over games.

Durant is a scorer and may be better suited with a pass first point guard
Russell will provide a dynamic offensive game for any team.

Is a Lillard/Westbrook swap a reasonable trade? I think so, After all, Durant is the player OKC is going to build around its future and he is a scorer before anything else. Portland on the other hand will get a future superstar who, IMO, propels them into a top 3 contention.

Just a reminder folks, this is not to suggest that OKC or Portland do a trade but to see if this can be an equal value trade which accomplishes both teams' needs.

Post #2 » by **JDR720** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:04 am

Portland would need to add more to that deal

HornetJail · Post #3 » by **HornetJail** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 5:04 am

Westbrook is so much better than Lillard it isn't even funny.

Post #4 » by **bondom34** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 5:28 am

No way for OKC, Westbrook is far and away better and tight with KD. Russ is traded, goodbye KD in 2 years.

BadWolf · Post #5 » by **BadWolf** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 6:50 am

So you're suggesting Lillard is a better fit with KD? he's a better the point shooter, sure, but that's about it.

Village Idiot · Post #6 » by **Village Idiot** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 7:43 am

Call me crazy but I wouldn't do it for Portland. Westbrook is one of those guys whom I just don't like. Neither his personality nor his game. Way too much dribbling and solo work. I agree with coach Nick that Westbrook is not a guy you can build a championship team around. For what it's worth I think Tony Parker is a much better player than Westbrook. Lillard isn't at Westbrook's level in a lot of ways but his shooting and leadership are a notch or two above. For me those are more important qualities than Westbrook's clear edges in driving ability or athleticism.

damecurry · Post #7 » by **damecurry** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 8:11 am

BizGilwalker wrote:Westbrook is so much better than Lillard it isn't even funny.

This is not true. Westbrook is a lot more developed and well-rounded and this trade notion is entirely foolish, but the gap is not that enormous, imo anyway. Especially in this three pt/shooting friendly nba.

Post #8 » by **bondom34** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 8:19 am

Westbrook is an excellent leader though, and his shooting overall is better than Lillard, Lillard outshoots him from 3.

Napoleon7 · Post #9 » by **Napoleon7** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:47 am

In today's market I would bet Lillard has more trade value than Westbrook. I would think Portland would easily say no...

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Post #10 » by **MoneyTalks41890** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 9:48 am

Napoleon7 wrote:In today's market I would bet Lillard has more trade value than Westbrook. I would think Portland would easily say no...

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You would be wrong.

I'm in the minority of OKC fans, but I'd think about Lillard/Batum for Russ/PJ3

Post #11 » by **DeBlazerRiddem** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 10:02 am

Village Idiot wrote:Call me crazy but I wouldn't do it for Portland. Westbrook is one of those guys whom I just don't like. Neither his personality nor his game. Way too much dribbling and solo work. I agree with coach Nick that Westbrook is not a guy you can build a championship team around. For what it's worth I think Tony Parker is a much better player than Westbrook. Lillard isn't at Westbrook's level in a lot of ways but his shooting and leadership are a notch or two above. For me those are more important qualities than Westbrook's clear edges in driving ability or athleticism.

I am on the same page as you. Westbrook is a tremendous talent, but I think he could be a headache to build a team around. I think he is one of those high usage individual players that don't win against a team built to play like a team (he is lucky to have the 2ed best player in the league with him, as well as a solid roster). Also, I know Westbrook has had very good health prior to last year, but his game isn't built for longevity.

So while Westbrook is a very good player, there are enough risk factors that I would stick with the bird in hand (and I can see OKC thinking the same).

NetsWorld · Post #12 » by **NetsWorld** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:09 pm

DeBlazerRiddem wrote:
Village Idiot wrote:Call me crazy but I wouldn't do it for Portland. Westbrook is one of those guys whom I just don't like. Neither his personality nor his game. Way too much dribbling and solo work. I agree with coach Nick that Westbrook is not a guy you can build a championship team around. For what it's worth I think Tony Parker is a much better player than Westbrook. Lillard isn't at Westbrook's level in a lot of ways but his shooting and leadership are a notch or two above. For me those are more important qualities than Westbrook's clear edges in driving ability or athleticism.

I am on the same page as you. Westbrook is a tremendous talent, but I think he could be a headache to build a team around. I think he is one of those high usage individual players that don't win against a team built to play like a team (he is lucky to have the 2ed best player in the league with him, as well as a solid roster). Also, I know Westbrook has had very good health prior to last year, but his game isn't built for longevity.

So while Westbrook is a very good player, there are enough risk factors that I would stick with the bird in hand (and I can see OKC thinking the same).

It's called maturation and he is maturing every year. For the record, this trade suggestion was only posted to see if their would be fit for both teams; not suggesting I would trade Westbrook for Lillard. Because, yes, Westbrook is far more explosive at getting to the basket and can take over a game.

Laimbeer · Post #13 » by **Laimbeer** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:24 pm

Just looked around and was surprised to see Westbrook is just a year older. Lillard is getting way too much lift from some dramatic playoff moments.

Post #14 » by **Texas Chuck** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 1:31 pm

I can appreciate all the Blazers fans wanting to keep their guy. Makes total sense to me and I respect that position. But to those Blazer fans suggesting Lilliard having more trade value league-wide? I think that's taking it too far.

PDX MM · Post #15 » by **PDX MM** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 3:51 pm

So far Lillard has shown to be durable while WB has had some knee issues which is enough to spook me toward no. At the end of the day I am sure both teams stick with their guy because you know what you have and what you will get on the floor.

7-12-52 · Post #16 » by **7-12-52** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 4:06 pm

+1 for not liking Westbrook. Is he more valuable around the league than Damian? Sure, but what is the point if it results in me not wanting to watch games. I don't think Westbrook is a good fit for Oregon. Would my opinion be different if we had drafted him? Possibly, but we didn't and a team we don't like did. Kobe never would have been acceptable here either.

Golabki · Post #17 » by **Golabki** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 4:38 pm

[quote="OKCThunder"]I would just like to state ahead of time that this trade may never come to fruition but would like to propose this situation to kind of stabilize the situation of both teams.

Damian Lillard is a young up and coming 24 year old point guard who can pass, score and just flat out play team basketball.
Russel Westbrook is a combo guard who can flat out score in bunches and take over games.

Durant is a scorer and may be better suited with a pass first point guard
Russell will provide a dynamic offensive game for any team.

Is a Lillard/Westbrook swap a reasonable trade? I think so, After all, Durant is the player OKC is going to build around its future and he is a scorer before anything else. Portland on the other hand will get a future superstar who, IMO, propels them into a top 3 contention.

Just a reminder folks, this is not to suggest that OKC or Portland do a trade but to see if this can be an equal value trade which accomplishes both teams' needs.[/quote]
The premise of the trade is that Westbrook can't run point, which is total nonsense. Westbrook averages more assists than Lilliard by a lot. Last year Westbrook assisted 40% of made shots while on the floor... Lilliard assisted 25% for Portland.

old rem · Post #18 » by **old rem** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 4:46 pm

JDR720 wrote:Portland would need to add more to that deal

Well... just to match salary. I don't consider Lillard as a "Pass first" PG any more than Westbrook. I think both teams may be reluctant to mess with chemistry. Not up on the salary part but I'm sure Westbrook is more $.

Post #19 » by **bondom34** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 6:20 pm

PDX MM wrote:So far Lillard has shown to be durable while WB has had some knee issues which is enough to spook me toward no. At the end of the day I am sure both teams stick with their guy because you know what you have and what you will get on the floor.

In fairness, WB has missed all his time due to the same issue, and prior to it (which would account for the entire length of Lillard's career) never had an issue. In all honesty, Lillard may be my second favorite young PG in the league (behind Russ, I like him over Wall/Kyrie/Rondo/Rose/others), but the injury thing is overblown.

Jaseface · Post #20 » by **Jaseface** » Sat Oct 18, 2014 6:29 pm

Chuck Texas wrote:I can appreciate all the Blazers fans wanting to keep their guy. Makes total sense to me and I respect that position. But to those Blazer fans suggesting Lilliard having more trade value league-wide? I think that's taking it too far.

The only way I can see that is if people are spooked by Westbrook's tendency to get hurt. Talent-wise, I would say most logical people would side with RW. But if Portland fans said they would rather have Lillard because he is younger, less injury-prone and less of a perceived headcase, then I can appreciate that argument.