Source: https://streamable.com/sm2h3m
Bill Simmons thinks Damian Lillard should consider forming a Big 3 with Anthony Edwards and Rudy Gobert in Minnesota
“You wonder if Dame is watching [Minnesota] going ‘You know what? Me for Towns. Just switch us. We have Gobert. We have Edwards. It’s kinda nice. Me and Ant together. Maybe that’s a better situation for me than anywhere else—F*ck it I’m adding [Minnesota] to the list.”
How far would a starting lineup of Damian Lillard, Anthony Edwards, Jaden McDaniels, Kyle Anderson and Rudy Gobert (with a bench of Mike Conley, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Troy Brown Jr., Lamar Miller, and Naz Reid) get in the West?
It feels like a very well-rounded squad only missing some offensive firepower off the bench. I think they’d finish in the top 5 in the West and probably be bounced in the 2nd round if they matchup against one of the Western Conference juggernauts (Nuggets, Suns, Clippers, Lakers). Anyone else like the Kings, Grizzlies, Warriors, Mavericks) and it could go either way in 7 games.
by UnbiasedNBAFan_
38 Comments
I’ve been saying this swap dame for kat
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Lmfaoooooo u really think Dame would want to play in Minnesota 😂?
If McDaniels levels up that’s a Finals team imo
I mean it would be fun
With the young backcourt that sounds like an 8-10 seed for the next few years unless Scoot is really that guy. Terrible place to be for a rebuilding team. I’d keep it in my pocket but not really the deal I’d be looking for.
Dame loves Portland, I doubt he wants to leave to just go anywhere.
The problem with this is that Phoenix and Denver exist.
Ant has the potential to be a top 10 player in the league as soon as next season. Going all in in the short term might not be a bad idea
If you believe in scoot this would be awesome to see
Portland has a small window to be bad and acquire more talent through the draft. Trading for KAT would be a mistake for the same reason trading for gobert was a mistake for Minnesota. No reason to rush the time line when you have a future star
Edit: I understand that people believe Portland could trade for KAT and move him later. I disagree. Why would you trade for a negative asset with a limited trade market if your main plan is to then sell that asset. I get buy low/sell high but there’s also the chance KAT’s value actually lowers from here and you are stuck bag holding on a super max contract that is complicating your rebuild.
Does KAT really have that kind of value?
Is a starting lineup with Dame/Ant/Jaden/Gobert/whoever at the 3/4 the best starting lineup in the NBA?
Edit: “whoever” is SloMo actually
I was shocked how much I liked this idea.
Prolly a 3 seed in the west
I wouldn’t mind it but i don’t think the wolves could reconcile Kats value with dames value to certain teams in this league.
Naz Reid starts at the 4. Also, forgot shake milton.
Why tf would Portland want KAT and his albatross contract
Minnesota become immediate western final contenders. Ant dame and gobert are right there with jokic Murray and MPJ as a trio or whoever you put in that third slot. This year might show Ant is better than Murray and the fit is so nice. Dame if you’re listening do it.
that’s not a contender lol
Sign me up!
Apparently he’s saying no to the Celtics, so that’s out of the question. I think he wants Miami because of the culture and direction of not only the team, but the front office. 76ers and Minn do not have that. I don’t know what his issue with the Celtics are, but good.
Simmons assumes that Lillard only cares about winning
Dame and ANT best backcourt in the league
Simmons hates the Heat so much he’ll just say the most random things.
Dame starting with Mile Conley off the bench would be a wild PG rotation
How are the Lakers a juggernaut? They barely made the Playoffs last season.
KAT is a decent player but with his contract he’s a net negative, blazers would be crazy to take him on.
He’s so scared of Dame in the east
I said this months ago
No thanks, Dame is incredible but I don’t want another ball dominant guard taking shots away from Ant and moreso I don’t want Dame’s defense in our backcourt. He’s 6 years older than KAT and injury prone as well.
I’d rather just give our group continuity. It’s been 1 injury plagued season where the starters only had 7 games together…like they deserve more than 7 games to figure this out lol
Minnesota would have to throw in several firsts imo
I’m obviously in the major minority here but I want to see a season of Kat/Gobert healthy with Ant being who he is now. They showed serious flashes last year but Kat/Gobert only played like 20 some games together. If healthy I’d bet they end up a top 4 seed and could be very dangerous
Don + Rudy was a horrible pairing, and Dame is quite similar in playstyle to Don. I don’t think it would work with Rudy there.
Dame + Ant would be exciting though. Ant would finally be that guard who’s good defensively you could pair with Dame
Umm Pat can easily beat this package lol.
Hell ya – Dame for KAT
No thanks, man. As much as I’d love to have Dame, dude’s 33 and we need some continuity.
Please
It would never happen, but it isn’t a horrible idea