Kevin Durant and Damian Lillard (Photo : Getty Images)
The Portland Trail Blazers could be joining the Kevin Durant sweepstakes this summer, with Damian Lillard hinting about the idea of playing alongside the OKC Thunder superstar.
The Blazers are expected to become an interesting free agent destination this summer following a surprisingly successful season that saw the team reach the Western Conference semifinals despite lacking star power in their lineup.
With other stars set to hit the market, the Blazers could add another high level player who could team along with Rip City's backcourt duo of Lillard and CJ McCollum. According to Lillard himself, one top-talented free agent he would prefer the Blazers should pursue is none other than Durant.
"[If] I have to choose only one free agent -- Kevin Durant," Lillard said during a press conference for his two-day #Dametime Manila visit, reports SPIN.
There is no doubt adding Durant would instantly boost the Blazers' chances to contend for a title, but acquiring him would be easier speculated than done, especially with many teams including the four-time scoring champion in their wish list.
With the Blazers needing an upgrade in the frontcourt, they could instead sign top free agents big men like Dwight Howard, who could be a perfect fit as Portland's third option behind Lillard and McCollum, according to ESPN's Marc Spears.
"If he's your third option, he's a great third option... Dwight's a good guy. He gets beat up a lot, but to me, he's a really good guy. Under the circumstances, with the lack of post scoring and some added defense there, I'd certainly sign him up," Spears told John Canzano of the Bald Faced Truth radio show.
"Certainly, the price has to be the right price... who else are they going to get who is better? If Dwight Howard is interested, under the right price, I'd be interested back."
Despite his up and down season with the Houston Rockets, Howard still averaged 13.7 points and 11.8 rebounds per game. Howard, who is expected to opt out of his four-year $87.5 million contract with the Rockets to explore free agency, would be able to address the Blazers' need of a defensive big man and a threat at the low post.
The Blazers should have enough cash to spend for a max contract, with the team having a projected cap space of $39.7 million this summer. However, offering max deals to players like Durant and Howard would cost them to retain key players like heading into free agency.
But if they miss out on the likes of Durant and Howard, the Blazers would certainly have other options after becoming an intriguing destination for free agents.
