Damian Lillard to New Orleans Pelicans: 3 reasons why this trade helps no one in the long run

#2 New Orleans Pelicans have a lot to lose if things don't work out

Brandon Ingram (#14) attempts a layup.

Damian Lillard has four years on the contract extension he signed that will pay him $39.3 million next season, giving the New Orleans Pelicans four seasons to work with him.

But acquiring him could cripple them in the long run if they lose young assets like Ingram and possibly receive lower draft picks that could derail their chances of being a contender in the future.

BRANDON. INGRAM. CLUTCH.Career-high 44 PTS and the game-winner. Wow. pic.twitter.com/jlDM1KKKyo

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 17, 2020

In order to contend for the title, GM Trajan Langdon and executive vice president of basketball operations David Griffin will have to find new homes for Eric Bledsoe and Steven Adams, who combine for $35 million in salaries, at the earliest. That’s not an easy task considering that the Pelicans will likely have to attach other assets, which they cannot afford to, in order to move either of the two players.

Even with Damian Lillard and Williamson in tow, the Pels don’t have enough talent around their roster to compete. Moreover, that doesn’t solve the New Orleans Pelicans’ defensive issues. If anything, they’ll be better offensively but not necessarily become a better team.

And if they don’t compete for the title or get within sniffing distance of a championship in the next two or three years, the New Orleans Pelicans could see Damian Lillard leave them with nothing to show after his contract is up.

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#3 New Orleans Pelicans are not necessarily a better destination for Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard (#0) dribbles against Michael Porter Jr. (#1).

The New Orleans Pelicans at the moment, are nowhere near being championship contenders. Right now, they are still hoping to get back in the playoff hunt next season.

p u n c h i n ' . t h e . c l o c k pic.twitter.com/Z33wx1pYG4

— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) June 4, 2021

Damian Lillard will help facilitate that, but that’s not what the veteran guard is hoping to accomplish at this stage of his career.

He’ll be turning 31 next month, and he is approaching the tail end of his prime years. His chances of winning his first title are dwindling, so a trade to the New Orleans Pelicans won’t help facilitate his championship dreams coming true.

The fact is, Damian Lillard will be entering a situation where there is a conflict of interest between him and the New Orleans Pelicans. Lillard is on a championship hunt, but the Pelicans are looking to build on young talent that could help them compete in the playoffs. Though a title is the ultimate goal of the franchise, they don’t have the pieces yet that could help get them there.

Suffice to say, Damian Lillard and the New Orleans Pelicans are headed in different directions at this stage. If their paths cross in a season or two, with the Pels potentially having a championship contender in place, that might be the time they could revisit a collaboration of this nature.

Until then, though, a trade that brings Damian Lillard to the New Orleans Pelicans doesn’t help anyone.