Stephen A. Smith Claims To Know The ‘Number One Destination’ Where Damian Lillard Wants To Be Traded

Even after Damian Lillard shut down reports that we was asking to be traded from the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason, he left the door slightly open that he might still ask to be dealt if the team fails once again to build around him.

When he originally combatted the report that he was fully prepared to request a trade, Lillard also said that he wants to win. And he knows the team is no where near good enough to win a championship as currently constructed.

Damian Lillard Denies Report That He’ll Request To Be Traded, But Doesn’t Sound Too Happy Eitherhttps://t.co/Zi7XGsoj28

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) July 16, 2021

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While all fans and members of the media continue to cook up potential blockbuster deals for Damian Lillard, Stephen A. Smith thinks he knows exactly where Dame wants to play if not Portland.

“I happen to know for a fact that even though Damian Lillard isn’t really keen on getting traded from Portland that – if he were to get traded from Portland – the New York Knicks would be his number one destination,” Stephen A. Smith said on Tuesday. “I’m telling you what I know. I’m not guessing. I know this for a fact. Y’all figure out how.”

Stephen A Smith: "If [Damian Lillard] were to get traded from Portland, New York Knicks would be his number one destination."

Also mentions Lillard’s ability to recruit players like Tatum and Embiid to a big market like New York

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— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) August 1, 2021

The Knicks dug themselves out of the “joke” label in Tom Thibodeau’s first year, earning the four seed in the Eastern Conference.

Damian Lillard would take them from a fun, scrappy squad to a bonafide contender.

Lillard may be destined to remain on the Trail Blazers to begin next season. But don’t be surprised if they emerge as a candidate if Dame becomes available mid-season.

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