The Damian Lillard sweepstakes

Picked 6th overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, Damian Lillard spent all of his playing career with the Portland Trailblazers. In his season opener, he scored 21 points and 11 assists, joining Oscar Robertson and Allen Iverson as the only players in league history to record at least 20 points and 10 assists in their debut game.

Starting in all 82 games with averages of 19 points, 3 rebounds and 6.5 assists, Lillard was voted 2013 Rookie of the Year, joining Ralph Sampson, David Robinson and Blake Griffin as the only unanimous winners of the award. He became the only player in Blazers history to get seven All-Star and seven All-NBA Team nods. In 2021, he was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.

Spending all of his 11 seasons helping Portland reach greater heights, he had a career game last February 26 with 71 points and 13 three pointers made, both career and Blazers franchise high records.

But things could be different for him and Portland this season as it seems that Lillard is not interested in rebuilding considering his age.

He wants to go to Miami and Portland wants to have Bam Adebayo in the deal, which the Heat promptly refused.  Reportedly, the LA Clippers, Brooklyn and Philadelphia are interested in Lillard and Portland would like star-caliber players from them in return, but with his expressed interest to play in Miami, teams are on a holding pattern.  According to The Oregonian, the Blazers are “seeking in the neighborhood of 4 first round picks and two quality players.”

As per Portland GM Joe Cronin, patience will be critical.  Teams that had been patient and diligent with their needs, had their urgency under control ended with the most favorable situation.  “We are going to be patient.  We’re going to do what’s best for our team.  We’re going to see how this lands.  And if it takes months, it takes months.”

Lillard does not have a no-trade clause so the team can send him to whichever team that satisfies them.  The Blazers won’t rush to what they’ll consider as a bad deal for them.  They got the #3 pick in this year’s draft in Scoot Henderson and if it goes well, let’s not be surprised if the familiar number 0 changes his tune and be in Portland when the 2023-2024 season opens in October.