Patrick Kinahan: Utah Jazz obligated to pursue Damian Lillard

SALT LAKE CITY — The Jazz brain trust, namely Danny Ainge and Justin Zanik, have no choice but to pursue the possibility of acquiring Damian Lillard.

Their credibility is at stake, according to their own statements three months ago. Back in April, at their joint postseason press conference, Ainge and Zanik sat together and intentionally tried to downplay expectations going into next season coming off a nice year during the first phase of a rebuild.

At the same time, they did broach the idea of going after a star player — provided one hits the market. This Weber State alum qualifies as a star.

"There may be one game-changing player that comes available this summer," Ainge said during the press conference. "But anytime there will be a game-changing player involved this summer we're in the game; we're in the conversation."

There you have it, the Jazz will get in the sweepstakes for Lillard, who wants out of the massive rebuilding project facing the Portland Trail Blazers. An all-time franchise great, Lillard has earned the right to request a trade to a potential contender.

Rightfully so, Blazers management wants the proverbial haul for the seven-time All Star who turns 33 on July 15. In basketball terms, the definition of haul is promising younger players along with multiple first-round draft picks stretching over the next several years.

Here's where it gets tricky for the Jazz, who very well could offer Portland the best possible package for the game-changing player, to use Ainge's own words. It could come down to which players and how many picks.

But there's got to be non-negotiables from the Jazz perspective. Preferably, this means Walker Kessler, Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen are not in trade discussions. Any other player, including the three new first-round picks, are trade candidates. At least two of the three picks, Taylor Hendricks and Keyonte George, could meet the criteria of good young players.

Young veterans Ochai Agbaji and Collin Sexton also could intrigue Portland, which likely would have difficulty landing any player matching Lillard's talent. With multiple first-round selections stretching out through the decade, the Jazz probably could afford to meet Portland's desire for draft assets.

And just like that, we've got a deal. If only it were that simple.

Remember Zanik's line at the April press conference: "We're not going to be pushed by a timeline," he said.

Without a doubt, Lillard's inclusion crashes the rebuild and pushes the Jazz into the playoff discussion next season. A starting lineup that also includes newly acquired John Collins could vault the team into the top four of the Western Conference, and maybe even higher.

Taking nothing away from Markkanen, who was a first-time All Star in his first season with the Jazz, Lillard instantly becomes the team's best and most marketable player. The 11-year veteran is coming off a career-high average of 32.2 points per game last season — although he played in only 58 games.

Contending for the championship with him is another question, however, realizing sub .500 teams rarely make the jump without taking baby steps into the playoffs. Ainge did pull it off as the lead executive when the Boston Celtics went from failing to make the playoffs two consecutive seasons to winning the championship the following year in 2007-08.

In addition to any players and picks, Lillard won't come cheap. Over the next four seasons, his salary incrementally increases from $45.6 million next season to $63.3 million at age 36 in 2026-27.

The money, even with an expected big jump in the salary cap, is too steep given Lillard's age. The Jazz would be better served by keeping their picks — for now, anyway — and continue to improve the roster over the next few years.

Even still, as the executives declared, the Jazz had better burn up the phone lines.

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