Damian Lillard has tried again to quell speculation that he wants out of Portland, Ros Gold-Onwude of ESPN reports on “NBA Today” (video link). Addressing the media during today’s shootaround, Lillard stated emphatically that he plans to give the Trail Blazers more time to recover from their slow start.
“I’m not asking for a trade,” he told reporters. “… My intentions are to be in Portland and to figure this out.”
Lillard recognizes that injuries and unrest in the organization have contributed to the team’s 11-14 record, which ranks 10th in the Western Conference, just a half-game ahead of the Kings for the final play-in spot. Those injuries include Lillard, who will miss his fifth straight game tonight with an abdominal issue, and backcourt mate CJ McCollum, who is sidelined with a collapsed lung.
Lillard is likely responding to a report Monday that he’s growing frustrated with the Blazers and wants the organization to work out a trade with the Sixers for Ben Simmons. He stated that other people have been speaking for him and said he’s in the office every day with coach Chauncey Billups trying to figure out the team’s problems.
“Why would I be part of trying to find solutions if I’m planning an exit?” Lillard asked.
It has been a difficult season for Lillard, who is averaging just 21.5 points per game while shooting 39.7% from the field and 30.2% from three-point range, all down significantly from last season. In addition, there has been off-the-court strife, with the latest incident being the decision to fire general manager and president of basketball operations Neil Olshey last week following an investigation into his workplace conduct.
Gold-Onwude also talked to Billups, who describes his relationship with Lillard as “strong” and says they are working together to give the team a successful future.
I feel like we’ve seen this headline 50 times over the past couple of years.
“who is averaging just 21.5 points per game…”
Just, haha
It’s kind of sad that Lillard has to constantly answer the same questions. Feels like the media is creating the stories and he has to address the rumor mill.
Where there’s smoke there’s fire.
It’s obvious that Lillard has not 100% sold out on staying in Portland. He hasn’t squashed the rumor 100% so that’s why it keeps coming up.
The reporters aren’t asking Steph Curry if he’s looking to leave the Warriors. They’re not asking the Lakers if LeBron is going to leave or ask for a trade. Etc etc. If the Blazers are smart they dump Lillard now. He’ll only be older next year and the year after.
@GaryWarrior
Think about how silly you sound. Why would Curry ask for a trade with 3 rings, zero pressure and a great start this season? When has LBJ EVER demanded a trade? They’ve asked him this question and he continues to unequivocally say “no”. There’s no hesitation. No ” no comment”. It’s the sports world screaming “you’re losing, you MUST chase a ring, It’s what WE want you to do so we have something to write about”. When he snaps and says “stop asking me” then ppl will catch feelings. I saw a clip of the SVP show when SVP was interviewing a local Bay area writer named Marcus Spears. Spears actually stops Lillard after a bad loss and plays a recording of him saying “no” to the questions about wanting to leave from a month ago and kind of puts him on the spot to ask him again. Ridiculous already.
What are you talkin about? I do recall hearing that Damian Lillard wanted the Blazers to improve the roster so they could win. Doesn’t that sound like there’s an opening? Doesn’t that sound like perhaps, and yeah it’s a maybe, perhaps if the Blazers don’t improve the roster and Lillard is 32 years old that maybe he’ll ask for a trade?
Where there’s smoke there’s fire. There’s definitely been smoke when he says please improve the roster. Yes if course the media blows it up but I think they have logical reason. My logic was that they’re not going to every NBA player and ask if they want out.. only where there’s been a little smoke.
How is that silly? We’ll see at the trading deadline when Damian Lillard asks to be moved. And I think that’s it definite real possibility. If it wasn’t then Damian Lillard would do as most other guys do and say, “don’t talk to me about this until AFTER the season.” Guys do that with contract status all the time but has Lillard said anything like that? No he hasn’t.. he just answers the question of the day, have you asked for a trade, and he says no.
@Gary
What player DOESN’T want their team to get better? Asking the team to get better indicates thst he wants to stay and try to win. Question asked. Question answered. Are they going to keep asking after every tough loss?
Yes I guess that’s where what you said comes into play. The media creating this circus.
So his wording of how he hasn’t asked for trade proves he wants out? And he under contract, blazers have interim GM. Why trade a star ? Especially mid season
Greenbowlpacker, all I’m saying is that it doesn’t sound to me that he’s given full commitment to the Blazers and there is an inkling of a possibility that he’ll want out at some point. That’s all.
He keeps saying “no” he doesn’t want to be traded but if he was serious, if it was me, I would say,
“Don’t talk to me about this anymore. Talk to the GM talk, to the owner, talk to the coach. But don’t ask me the question anymore. I’m happy here, it’s over.”
Guys do that all the time and Damian Lillard has NOT done that. Is the opening huge? No. He’s probably happy there BUT he has not closed the door to asking for a trade.. maybe at the deadline.
That’s all I’m saying. Maybe I’m wrong but I’m just voicing my opinion. That’s all. It’s conversation. Nobody’s wrong… Well except for me maybe LOL.
Agree! As always the media is at fault with that!
Seems that saying someone is happy & wants to stay doesn’t sell… meanwhile trying to force people to move & all the drama that brings, must sell a lot more!
Sad state of affairs the media business, never about good news, always about bad news, SMH!
Dame is a drama queen! Btw, he doesnt care about winning, only pretends to be…
His desire to win is a big wildcard in trade talks.
Some guys are comfortable with the NBA lifestyle and playing in a smaller city without the media pressure.
It can be mentally draining for superstars to play in tough media (fan) markets. Not everybody is cut out for that. The media pressure can be overwhelming.
He he doesn’t care about winning he may be perfectly fine living in a city like Portland without that added pressure.
In West
7 playoffs teams continue talking about LOSS because of INJURY
Last week 4 teams talked injury
Clippers
Nuggets
Mavs
Grizzlies
This week 3 teams talked injury
Suns
Lakers
Blazers
So Warriors are the only team that has no injury?
Warriors Starters do not miss any games?
@Sillvan
Dude, Lillard wasn’t asked nor commented about CJ. The writer mentioned it anecdotally in a 7 word blip as to the state of affairs and a albeit flimsy reason to question his resolve to stay in Portland. Relax buddy. We know the GSW have missing players too.
KnicksCavsfan, you relax bro. “Think about how silly you sound?” Why would the Warriors complain about a bench guy being injured when they’re 21-4 ?
No clay Thompson and no wiseman. So warriors will get a boost when they return
Yes !!
Jalen Brown+R. Williams (can be traded after Jan 20, 2022)+Neismith+3 firsts and 3 swaps for Dame and Nurkic
He may not want to leave, but the Blazer’s front-office may be looking to ship him out now.
Huge contract extension ahead, bad ticket sales in Portland, poor basketball.
The tide os turning, maybe a rebuild in process.
Shams pour out the report. Shams is also a mouthpiece for Klutch. Could Lillard’s agent have went along with this? Sure. Lillard’s agent represented Lebron at one point. I’m sure him and Rich Paul are friendly.
Lillard going nowhere. There’s big news.