Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers are in an interesting spot this offseason. They hold the third overall pick, but it usually takes rookies a year or two to become reliable contributors, if at all.
One alternative solution may be to try and package the third pick in addition to other assets to land a star player who may be able to help the soon-to-be 33-year-old Lillard compete with the Blazers right away.
Or, it’s possible this is the offseason where Lillard finally gets traded after several years of rumor-filled summers. One NBA insider, Sam Amick of The Athletic, says we shouldn’t rule out Portland trading away their superstar if they can’t bring in a complementary star to fit with Lillard.
“I’m gonna lean towards yes (on Lillard being traded) because I feel like… how deliberate star players are with their voice. And what I’m seeing from Dame right now, and the type of commentary and analysis coming either from him or reporters who are close to him, the tone of the discussion feels like two things: A) something you choose to do to apply pressure and make sure your front office trades the No. 3 pick for a very good player to make him stay, and B) to send the message that if you don’t [trade that pick], we’re gonna have to figure something out here. I’m currently not seeing or hearing of that type of trade. So it does feel like if they don’t move the pick for something that really moves the program forward now, then we’re gonna be talking about Dame a lot this summer”
Sam Amick on possible Damian Lillard trade
Until and unless the Blazers can dramatically improve their roster, the rumors surrounding Lillard just won’t go away. He’s one of the best point guards in the NBA and has been for the better part of the last decade, warning seven All-NBA honors.
Yet, the fact remains that the Blazers have struggled to compete each of the past two seasons and couldn’t make it out of the first round of the playoffs from 2019 to 2020. Lillard is still chasing after an NBA championship, and the more time he wastes, the less of a chance he’ll have to secure his first ring. While Lillard has become one of the most loyal players in the sport today, one has to wonder if his competitive drive will lead to a change of heart at some point.
Based on Amick’s sources, it sounds like that time could even come later this summer. In other words, Portland has a very crucial offseason ahead.
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