Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard could very well be in the midst of his best season.
The four-time All-Star heads into Wednesday’s action averaging 26.4 points while shooting at career-best marks from both the field and three-point range.
A transcendent figure in the Pacific Northwest, the 28-year-old Lillard has noted on multiple occasions that he has no yearning to join a super team. Rather, he’d look to build the Blazers’ core into a championship contender.
This could potentially be tested with Lillard likely eligible for a super-max extension during the summer. If he’s voted as an All-NBA performer, Lillard could earn an extension with the Blazers totaling $250 million over the next six years.
According to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, it looks like the Blazers will indeed offer said extension during the summer.
The deal would be similar to the ones John Wall, James Harden and Russell Westbrook inked over the past couple years.
Instead of signing the long-term deal, Lillard could play out the next two seasons and hit free agency. If that were to happen, Portland would have to think long and hard about trading its franchise cornerstone.
There’s no telling what might happen on this front. But Lillard has some decisions to make once the calendar turns to July. That’s for sure.