Meh. Lawyers represent unsavory clients all the time. I think Trump's treatment of his lawyers is the issue for most. Using them as political spokespersons and his reputation of not paying.

My guess is it'll go like this:

Trump: Judge, I can't find a lawyer with the skills to represent me.

Judge: Give me the list of people you tried to get to represent you.

The judge looks over the list see someone they knows.

Judge: Mr. X is appointed to Trump's lawyer team and will be paid 1.2 x [standard rate]. Trump will put Y amount into escrow to ensure payment.

Add some rules about what exactly the appointed lawyer will do and done. Trump can't argue for improper representation later.

where just being involved might put you in jail like many of the lawyers who came before you

Just to clarify, his previous lawyers went to jail for lying to courts on behalf of Trump or providing Trump with advice on how to get away with crimes. Defending Trump doesn't automatically get you in trouble.

with how he has treated his lawyers in the past, and the publicity this will get, if it came to that I think the appointee would come out no worse off. It's very clear he sabotages his defenders.

But maybe he just chooses to represent himself if it comes to that.

I think there's a huge personal risk to the lawyers too.

If Trump doesn't like how this lawyer is representing him, he can sic his angry mob on the lawyer.