Appearing on Draymond Green‘s podcast, Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard expressed some enthusiasm about the team’s direction, singling out teammates Anfernee Simons, Nassir Little, Jusuf Nurkic, and Josh Hart, and suggesting Portland has “got some pieces to the puzzle” and just needs to keep adding to those pieces.
As Casey Holdahl of Blazers.com relays, Lillard also pushed back against the idea that Portland can’t be an appealing free agent destination, arguing that if the Blazers have a chance to seriously contend, they’ll attract talent.
“No offense, but people (are) going to Oklahoma City, people going to Milwaukee, you know what I mean?” Lillard said. “People are going places and Portland ain’t what people think it is, otherwise I wouldn’t have been living here this long. If you just couldn’t live here, I wouldn’t be living here this long.
“I think that’s part of it, but at the end of the day, people are going places that’s like ‘You went there?’ (Carmelo Anthony) went to OKC when we was trying to get ‘Melo to come here. Ask ‘Melo where he would go first. And I’ll say this: not just because of the living situation.”
Here are a few more notes from around the Western Conference:
- The Kings‘ trade deadline shake-up create a more positive vibe around the organization, point guard De’Aaron Fox said this week, according to Jason Anderson of The Sacramento Bee. “I think the mood is definitely a bit better,” Fox said. “It’s definitely different when guys come into new situations, guys coming from Indiana, guys coming from Detroit and Donte [DiVincenzo] coming from Milwaukee … it’s like a breath of fresh air when you have a change of scenery.”
- Lakers head coach Frank Vogel shared a series of injury-related updates on Thursday, per Dave McMenamin of ESPN (Twitter link). Most notably, Kendrick Nunn (knee) has begun his ramp-up process again following a setback last month, Anthony Davis (foot) is off his crutches, and Carmelo Anthony (hamstring) is probable to return on Friday after missing the team’s last five games.
- Speaking to Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews.com, veteran international agent Misko Raznatovic expressed dissatisfaction with the rules governing draft-and-stash players like his client Vasilije Micić, whose NBA rights are held by the Thunder. “One team gets your rights and then, (even if) you’re the best player in Europe, they don’t want to trade you and they don’t want to give you (a fair contract) offer,” Raznatovic said. “And then you never play in the NBA, (even if) you’re better than 80% of the guys who are there. I don’t believe this is fair.” Raznatovic did note that Micić has an annual NBA escape clause in his contract with Anadolu Efes, so he’ll talk to the Thunder again this summer to see if they can work something out.
Some even go to Utah ffs :D anything’s possible!
Never gonna win a championship just like Utah
Only reason Melo waived his no trade clause to come to okc was to play with Russ and PG13. Had nothing to do with the city itself.
Not sure you can compare that situation to Dame in Portland as he’s there by himself. Won’t be a “big 3” type of scenario.
Well they Lillard and the MIP in Simons who has the potential to be the 2 or 3 in a “Big 3″and the ability to create up to 45 million in cap space. They won’t let Simons walk so realistically they have around 20-25 million.
Both Simons and Nurkic will be re-signed. From another article, says AS will be at about $8M next year up from 4m this year. Nurk will be bumped up to 4 yr 64m. Thats another 4m there. With Ingles, DSjr, and Zeller out, plus Bledsoe’s expiring contract and other fillers, they could still be able to get a +$40m player over there. I doubt they will go that high as this would tighten everything up again which could impact the depth of the team. But then again Lillard, Simons, and a $40m AllStar probably opens the door for ring chasers joining at the vet minimum.
Simon’s QO is 8 million. He’s a restricted free agent. I know he says he wants to stay there but that would be an awful big ask for him to accept it when he’s gonna get offered at least twice that much from an offer sheet.
8 million and a promise or a 60+ million dollar guarantee?
I dunno. Money is a factor when attracting talent. It is less important when you are already in place and the org is ready to develop you further and basically build around you with Lillard as a mentor, Chauncey as a coach, and two lottery picks this year. I don’t see anyone prying AS away.
The only Free Agents that could warrant that kind of money that could possibly be available are Harden, Beal, LaVine and Irving. Realistically I think it’s just Beal and LaVine. Either of those would be redundant with Lillard and Simons in place. They should put their money where their mouth is and show Simons they have confidence in him. Offer him a substantial bag. Then use what’s left to sign or trade for some top tier role players to support Lillard, Nurc and Simons. Or hell use those lottery picks and Nurc to move up and take Holmgren, Banchero or Smith. If Simons pans out like they hope then they get a hell of bargain on him at 4 years 60-70 million.
But if they are making trades, then guys like AD (if LeBron leaves), Jimmy Butler (if MIA implodes) or even maybe KD (if Kyrie leaves). But this is wishful thinking. It will far more likely be someone in the $35M range (Siakam, Sabonis, KAT) and then more depth.
Whatever happens, Blazers can not give into Lilliard’s demand of 2 year extension this offseason. Lilliard already has max contract and let him earn his contract. With extension, his trade value will plummet and he might even become untradable.
Lillard has earned every contract he has or will sign.
Agreed. He is Rip City basketball.
Bear in mind, contracts should be paying for future expectations, not past glories. Otherwise there will be less to spend in the future on performing assets.
It sounds like Lillard is taking Portland for granted, grouping it with less prestigious cities.
I have always agreed with the Raznatovic complaint; draft n stash is an apparently legal way of owing people rather just owning their contract. Perhaps the 14th amendment does not apply to foreigners but Americans are benefitting from the usage & control.
Players can be shown to benefit from the process too, and often do, since they may want the NBA attachment for their “CV” but not want to move here.
That makes the arrangement okay?— supposedly the US Constitution was written for people, not corporations, but that separation got cracked open in the baby Bush years.
I would like to hear some justification for draft n stash besides *they do it too*. Or in Milicic’s case, it was okay last year when thigs went so well in Europe. It is time to move up now but he is owned by Presti with other concerns.
More like Lame Dullard if you ask me