​Many see the Jimmy Butler drama, the Kyrie Irving trade request and the Blake Griffin trade and wonder who is the next star or superstar to get moved?

In my opinion a likely suspect is Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers.
Lillard is an elite PG who is likely top 3 at his position and still in his prime. Why would Portland move him? Simple the rest of their roster is terrible. They are paying CJ McCollum like a star and he rates more as an average starter. They have no starting caliber SF or PF and are already flirting with the luxury tax.
 
In Moving Lillard the Trailblazers would be accepting a rebuild and some short term pain. However this would make much more sense than expensive roster that really only is a low playoff seed at best.
A package of a young PG with potential, a 1st round pick and likely at least one other young piece would make sense in return.
Some teams who could offer this include the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, LA Clippers, Chicago Bulls and New York Knicks.

CJ McCollum would be moved for young talent and draft assets as well.
The TrailBlazers would have Nurkic, Simons and the return from these two trades as their potential core going forward. The team would be bad or even terrible for a couple seasons but those two high draft choices stand a real chance at giving the team the 2nd star long term it currently lacks.
 
I think the Portland Trailblazers should hit the reset button, do you? Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
 

League scources have confirmed that SG/SF Patrick McCaw is unlikely to return to the Golden State Warriors. McCaw has been holding out for more money and playing time,
In a related event McCaw has ceased contact with his teammates and who his potential suitors are is currently unclear.

Tyler Ullis has signed with the Chicago Bulls.

Jamal Crawford has signed with the Phoenix Suns.

Richard Jefferson has announced his retirement.

Coach Brett Brown intends to do split starting with JJ Reddick starting the 1st half and Markelle Fultz starting the 2nd half at SG for the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Golden State Warriors will start Damion Jones at C until Demarcus Cousins is healthy.

These rankings are over the last 3 years with a weighting of talent acquisition, cap flexibility, wins and overall growth potential of existing talent. 


NBA FO Ranks Full list:
1.Spurs
2.Celtics
3.Warriors
4.Rockets
5.Raptors
6.Lakers
7.Pacers
8.Jazz
9.Heat
10.Thunder
11.Nets
12.Nuggets
13.Wizards
14.Bulls
15.Bucks
16.Pelicans
17.Kings
18.Cavaliers
19.Trailblazers
20.Knicks
21.Clippers
22.Hawks
23.Mavericks
24.76ers
25.Hornets
26.Grizzlies
27.Pistons
28.Twolves
29.Magic
30.Suns

Most of the top 10 are current playoff teams or championship contenders. Even though the Heat are not in a great position from a cap standpoint I don't doubt Pat Riley and his ability to acquire high level talent when the opportunity arises.
The 76ers are lower as most of the FO that got them their 2 young stars are no longer with the team. The current regime has made questionable draft and trade decisions.

I am not sold on the current team building by the Suns or Magic. Ayton is likely a young star but I believe Booker is an overpaid starter and the rest of their roster is below average.
​Orlando have a lot of promising front court talent but have overstocked there and have literally no young talent for either back court position despite going big heavy for 4 straight drafts just not sure what their plan is.

​

• The Kings and Warriors played a preseason game in Seattle but the league has no plans in the near future to bring an NBA franchise back to the city.
• Kevin Durant could be a viable option for the Knicks in free agency next summer.
• The Knicks waived guard John Jenkins, who previously played for the Hawks, Mavericks and Suns.
• Big man Cole Aldrich is expected to play in China after the Hawks waived him.
• Sixers reserve guard Jerryd Bayless is out at least a month after suffering a knee sprain.
• With Jabari Bird‘s status in doubt, the Celtics signed guard Marcus Georges-Hunt.
• Lakers first-round pick Moe Wagner is expected to miss the preseason due to a left knee injury.
• A knee injury has sidelined Sixers forward Wilson Chandler for the balance of the preseason.
• The Jazz signed guard Isaiah Cousins to their camp roster.
• Celtics assistant coach Jerome Allen faces a suspension after pleading guilty to taking a bribe while coaching Penn in 2014.

Jimmy Butler Trade talks continue:
​While the Heat have long looked like the favorites in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes, Miami isn’t the only team talking to the Timberwolves. According to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the Wolves and Clippers have had ongoing discussions about a Butler trade.