Fresh off earning All-NBA honors this week, Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has reportedly requested another meeting with team owner Paul Allen, according to John Canzano of The Oregonian. The reason for Lillard’s alleged requested meeting is not provided but this is not the first time that Lillard’s camp sought a face-to-face will Allen.
Lillard met with Allen in January to discuss the organization’s plan for the future. For what it’s worth, Lillard responded to this latest report on Twitter and dismissed the report and the source of it. After being swept by the Pelicans in the postseason, Lillard addressed the possibility of Portland breaking up with the backcourt of himself and C.J. McCollum.
“I don’t agree with it,” Lillard said breaking up the Blazers’ backcourt (via Ashish Mathur of Pro Hoops Digest). “I think it’s that simple. I think it’s the easiest thing to say. I don’t agree with it, though. I’m not the guy making decisions.”
Lillard earned the All-NBA nod after enjoying another productive season in Portland, averaging 26.9 PPG and 6.6 APG.
Check out more Northwest Division notes below:
- Jerami Grant‘s improvement since he joined the Thunder has been a point a pride for both himself and the organization. As he heads for free agency this summer, Grant — who has admitted he wants to return to the Oklahoma City — may have priced himself out of the team, Brett Dawson of The Oklahoman writes.
- Josh Huestis proved himself this season but his next NBA chapter may be with an organization other than the Thunder, Erik Horne of The Oklahoman writes. Huestis’ pending unrestricted free agency — just like Grant’s — is complicated by the financial complications Paul George‘s free agency presents and how he fits on the roster long-term.
- Timberwolves big man Nemanja Bjelica cannot wait for the opportunity to suit up for the Serbian national team. “I love to play at home,” he said, “and I can’t wait to do it again, soon. Being supported by thousands of fans is the best, and this unity around the national team gives us a lot of extra energy.”
- During an appearance on The Lowe Post podcast with colleague’s Zach Lowe and Brian Windhorst, Adrian Wojnarowski said he feels that Minnesota would move on from Tom Thibodeau before trading Karl-Anthony Towns (via UPROXX). “I think their owner would trade management/the coach before he would trade Karl-Anthony Towns,” Wojnarowski said. “I don’t think they would allow that. I just don’t believe they’d allow that kind of decision.”
Fire Thibodeau, Bjelica deserved to play more in the playoffs and never got the time.
I agree with Dame, breaking the best part of Portland isn’t the best idea, I know they don’t have the cap to do much, but they have to be inventive, not do the easy & wrong thing that is trading Dame/CJ. First they should start for getting rid of Nurkic, or sign him for a very low salary, like 6-7MM, if he takes it, if not bye bye.
Again I totally agree with Woj, if it comes to it you trade Wiggins, Butler, fire Thibs… whatever it takes to keep happy KAT. He is a generational talent, will be one of the best centers ever, a player like him you cannot replace him, so you cannot trade him. Anyway, it would take what, at least 3 all-stars for him, & probably wouldn’t do it anyway… we are talking of a future MVP. Not this year because of Thibs, but last year if he had been in a winning team should have been on the run for MVP, he had an amazing season, so hopefully if Thibs let him he’ll be there again next year.