There is reportedly one specific way for the Portland Trail Blazers to guarantee Damian Lillard does not ask for a trade and that would be by signing one particular star in 2023 NBA free agency.
Following the NBA Draft, there has been a ton of speculation about Damian Lillard’s future with the Portland Trail Blazers. For weeks the rumor mill suggested that if the team stayed pat and held on to their two first-round picks the Portland legend was expected to ask for a trade out of town. Since the belief around the league is the 11-year veteran wants the organization to retool by adding some impact veterans.
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Following the 2023 NBA Draft, the Portland Trail Blazers general manager made it clear he has no intention of trading Lillard after drafting Scoot Henderson and Kris Murray in the June event. However, it has always been assumed Jim Cronin will acquiesce if Lillard asks for a trade.
On Monday, The Athletic NBA reporter Sam Amick revealed that the seven-time All-Star is expected to meet with team brass early next week to decide his future in Portland.
Draymond Green a ‘dream’ teammate for Damian Lillard on Portland Trail Blazers
However, Amick reported that despite the meeting being in the next few days, a decision on staying or leaving may not be made by Lillard for a few more weeks because he may want to see how things play out for the team in NBA free agency. And the 32-year-old reportedly could be hoping the Portland Trail Blazers pull off a shocking acquisition of a multi-time champion.
In his report, Amick revealed that “one solution that is known to be a dream scenario from Lillard’s vantage point: Re-sign forward Jerami Grant and add four-time All-Star/four-time champion Draymond Green in free agency.”
- Draymond Green stats (’22-’23): 8.5 PPG, 7.2 RPG, 6.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 30% 3PT
However, the NBA insider does note signing Lillard’s teammate on the 2021 USA Olympic team and Grant would be extremely difficult and there are really no worthwhile sign-and-trade options. If such a shocking move for Draymond Green were to happen, the Portland Trail Blazers GM would need to do some serious salary cap maneuvering via trades to make it possible.
Green opted out of the over $27 million in the final year of his Golden State Warriors contract last week.