Damian Lillard Drops the Ball on Blazers & Requests a Trade
Bye, Bye, Blazers! Free Agency Goes Wild With the Damian Lillard Trade Request
Portland’s star and highest scorer Damian Lillard has dropped a bombshell on fans. He wants out.
Blazing through his career for 11NBA seasons, Lillard, the seven-time All-Star, in a surprise move, has informed the Blazers that he’s ready for a fresh start, aiming his sights beyond Portland. He has formally requested a trade.
This news comes on the second day of the NBA free agency, catching many off-guard, especially after Portland had made a significant first-night splash by reportedly retaining Jerami Grant with a whopping $160 million, five-year deal.
Why the Damian Lillard Trade Request?
Championship dreams are written in Lillard’s DNA, but they haven’t come true. After over a decade of sweat and glory with the Blazers, the All-Star has reached the conclusion that his NBA championship dreams need a new turf to bloom.
The NBA postseason has not been kind to him. In his 11 seasons, the Blazers have only managed to clinch four playoff series, with just one visit to the Western Conference Finals. This past basketball season, the NBA team clocked in at 33-49, marking the second consecutive year of finishing well outside the playoff picture.
Lillard exits an exceptional season, averaging 32.2 points for the Trail Blazers. He is a seven-time All-NBA selection and a part of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team. Despite an impressive record, the championship has eluded him in his 11 seasons in the league.
Joe Cronin, the Portland general manager, has expressed the team’s position in a statement, “We’ve always wanted Dame to stick around. Today, however, he informed us he wants out and would prefer to play elsewhere.” Still, the Blazers’ commitment to winning remains unscathed, and they have assured their fans that they will act in the best interest of the team’s pursuit of this goal.
Damian’s Records and Honors
Damian Lillard, a relentless Blazers guard, has broken the glass ceiling to become the all-time leading scorer for the franchise. Among those great records and honors are:
- Onne December night in Oklahoma City, the hoop was on fire as Lillard blazed past the formidable record set by Clyde Drexler, an illustrious Hall of Famer.
- Notching up seven All-NBA honors, Lillard remains the only Blazer to hold such a distinctive achievement.
- The year 2017-18 was noteworthy for Lillard, being named on the All-NBA first team, a unique honor shared with just two other basketball players from the franchise’s storied history.
- Lillard is a seven-time All-Star
- He’s a former Kia Rookie of the Year
- He’s also a proud member of the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team.
- In the Tokyo Games, Lillard brought home an Olympic gold medal, sharing the podium with Miami’s Bam Adebayo.
- Lillard stands tall on the Blazers’ leaderboards, topping the charts in 3-pointers made, 3-pointers attempted, and making the most of his free throws.
- Top five in games played, assists, and field goals made and attempted.
- Scoring an average of 24 points per game in the past eight seasons, he currently ranks fourth among active players, falling behind only the likes of Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid, and LeBron James. This list would expand to include Luka Doncic, Zion Williamson, and Trae Young if there were no game minimums.
But, while Lillard’s resume is packed with accolades, it’s missing one crucial ingredient – a championship. And you can bet he’s got his sights set on that now.
Damian Lillard Sweepstakes: Who Will Land the NBA Superstar?
Lillard’s decision has stirred up a storm in the NBA world. Reports suggest a keen interest from teams like the Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets, and Philadelphia 76ers. Although Lillard has indicated his preference for the Heat, the reigning Eastern Conference champion, it doesn’t necessarily guarantee his next destination.
While the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets are front-runners, several other franchises are also in the mix. The question is, who can put together a package enticing enough for Portland to part ways with their franchise cornerstone?
Miami Heats Up the Stakes
Down in Miami, the allure of golden beaches, sizzling nightlife, and a team that recently made a finals appearance is hard to ignore. The Heat boasts Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, long-time friends of Lillard, and the possibility of the superstar joining their ranks has been making waves. But the deal may cost more than what the team can afford. The Heat would likely need to part ways with players like Tyler Herro and multiple future first-round picks.
Brooklyn Seeks To Net
The Nets, on the other hand, offer a promising setup. Their young core is rich in talent, and with the addition of Lillard, they could become an immediate force to reckon with in the NBA Eastern Conference. But will the Nets be willing to give up young talent, perhaps someone like Mikal Bridges, along with ample draft picks? It’s a hefty price to pay, but the lure of Lillard might be too strong to resist.
Other Contenders
While the Heat and Nets lead the pack, other teams, like the Clippers and 76ers, are also in the picture. These franchises are in desperate need of a player of Lillard’s caliber to elevate their game to the next level. However, the question remains whether they have enough resources to execute a blockbuster deal. Considering Lillard’s expected earnings—nearly $46 million for the upcoming season and a possible total of $216 million over the next four years if he exercises his option—it’s clear the cost will be considerable.
With all eyes on Damian Lillard, it’s a suspenseful waiting game to see where he will end up. This is one NBA saga that’s poised to make a big splash.
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