Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has been among the most loyal in the NBA over the course of his career.
Despite his individual brilliance, Portland remains largely irrelevant within the confines of the broader Association. That’s no truer than during the 2022-23 season, less than a calendar year after Dame committed to Portland on another contract extension.
The Blazers currently sit at 31-40 on the campaign and are headed for yet another non-playoff season. At some point, Lillard is going to get fed up with all of the losing in the Pacific Northwest.
The future Hall of Famer discussed this ahead of Wednesday’s game against the Utah Jazz. It appears that frustration has taken over with Lillard openly questioning his future in Portland.
“That’s not what I’m interested in. That’s what the frustrating part of it is. Talking about what’s gonna happen next season. And us building. That’s not what I’m here to do especially at this stage of my career.”
Damian Lillard on the Portland Trail Blazers’ current situation
Rumors of discontent on Lillard’s part have stretched back several years now. But he continues to give various front offices an opportunity to turn things around, showing loyalty on a near never-ending loop.
Once Joe Cronin took over on a full-time basis for disgraced former Blazers general manager Neil Olshey, the hope was that things would turn around in Portland. It led to Dame signing a two-year extension with the organization. Fast forward several months, and things just have not gone according to plan.
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What to make of Damian Lillard comments, future with the Blazers?
It’s interesting that Lillard points out where he is at in his career. The Northern California native will be entering his Age-33 season in 2023-24. He’s in the back end of his prime while still playing at an elite clip.
- Damian Lillard stats (2022-23): 32.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 7.2 APG, 46% FG, 37% 3-point
Thus far this season, Lillard has dropped 50-plus points three times. That included an historic 71-point outing against the Houston Rockets in late February. He’s a seven-time All-Star, six-time All-NBA performer and future first ballot Hall of Famer.
But at some point, it becomes more about team-wide success than individual accolades. Existing in mediocrity within the confines of a small market will do nothing to preserve Lillard’s lasting impact on the game.
The good news for Lillard if he does decide to request a trade this summer is the fact that Portland would likely have to oblige. While he’s under contract through the 2024-25 campaign, today’s NBA has been favorable to star players requesting a trade.