1:37pm: The meeting will take place on Monday, tweets Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT. Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, will also be present.
8:51am: The Trail Blazers’ lottery luck and the addition of a strong rookie class weren’t enough to change Damian Lillard‘s mind about playing with a young team, sources tell Sam Amick of The Athletic.
General manager Joe Cronin said over the weekend that he’ll talk with Lillard once the star guard returns from a vacation in France (Twitter link from Danny Marang of 1080 The Fan in Portland). That meeting is expected to take place early this week, giving Lillard and the Blazers time to map out their future before the start of free agency on Friday.
Portland landed the No. 3 pick in this year’s lottery and was able to add a potential future star in Scoot Henderson. The Blazers also picked up Kris Murray at No. 23 and Rayan Rupert at No. 43, adding three more prospects to the collection of young talent already on hand.
However, it’s not the type of team that Lillard prefers as he nears his 33rd birthday next month. Lillard declared after the regular season ended that he wants Cronin to add some veterans who will help turn the Blazers into a contender, and he has repeated that stance in subsequent interviews.
Amick hears that Lillard’s dream scenario is to re-sign Jerami Grant and add Draymond Green in free agency. The Warriors are reportedly confident about their chances to keep Green, but Amick states that the size of his contract could still become an issue.
Amick also points out that the Blazers don’t currently have enough cap room to sign Green, who’s believed to be seeking a new deal with a starting salary in the $20MM range. A sign-and-trade could be possible, although Amick believes a third team would have to be involved to make the financial aspects work.
Amick mentions Raptors forwards Pascal Siakam and OG Anunoby as other possibilities, but he notes that Toronto has numerous teams that are interested in both players.
An important part of this week’s meeting will be for Lillard to gauge the front office’s commitment to upgrading the roster in time for next season, sources tell Amick. If he believes Cronin and owner Jody Allen are serious about building a contender, then he’ll hold off a decision about his future through at least the early part of free agency. If he’s not convinced, Lillard could decide to ask for a trade, possibly before free agency begins.
If that happens, Amick singles out the Heat as the main team to watch. Lillard has “serious interest” in going to Miami, sources tell Amick, and the Heat are believed to be equally interested in acquiring him.
Lillard’s desired destination will factor into any trade because of his years of service in Portland and the size of his contract, Amick adds. With four seasons left at $216MM, including a $63MM player option for 2026/27, Amick states that it’s hard to imagine any team trading for Lillard unless he wants to go there.
“Hold off on a decision about his future?” The dude signed a supermax contract for more years with the trailblazers. That decided his future.
If he wanted to move he should have played out his contract and SIGNED ELSEWHERE. He wanted the money and took the money and signed. The Blazers decide what to do at this point, not Damian Lillard after all that.
Yes I know he can ask for a trade and they’ll trade him and everything will be fine and the Blazers will move on and be young and get assets but my point remains. Can’t stand this, sign for supermax, and then ask out.
“If he wanted to move he should have played out his contract and SIGNED ELSEWHERE. He wanted the money and took the money and signed.”
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GaryWarriorsRedSox;
LOL
Oh, come ‘on, Gary. This is NBA players SOP for at least the last 20 years. The entire league is Me-Me-Me – marketing my brand, bringing attention to myself, and most importantly – getting the money. It’s entertainment. It’s a step up from professional wrestling. It has nothing at all to do with team play – which starts with respecting the coaches.
The Kardashian’s tie to this – and rightfully so. It’s just a soap opera. The days of Bill Russell, Red Auerbach, Oscar Robertson, Wilt, Red Holtzman, Jerry West, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, etc. are long gone. Michael Jordan started it referring to his teammates as: “My supporting cast”…..something that would have gotten a player that did that punches in the nose from his teammates previously. Gads, look at all the commotion over losers such as Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. LeBron can’t win unless he stacks a teams roster.
Kids that follow and support the “sport” know nothing at all about what teams need to do to win. The 2 other major team sports are similar, but nothing like the NBA.
…and may I add….
The referees are a joke. Name players never foul out of big games. Players palm the ball; travel; and the “stars” routinely charge into a defender, throw the ball up against the backboard and the announcers shout out: “AND ONE!”
NBA refs are no different than those in pro wrestling. It’s all a show. The commissioner doesn’t want to change it. The owners don’t want to change it. The players and their agents don’t want to change it. All are getting filthy rich, so screw “Integrity”.
@Samuel I couldn’t agree more with basically everything you said. I can’t pinpoint exactly when it got past the point of no return, but the NBA to me..generally speaking..is just a mess from top to bottom.
The Lillard thing is turning into the Aaron Rodgers/GB divorce all over again. Slightly less (reported) animosity between the two sides, but its early. And if there’s no substantive news, we get “reports”..
And we have fringe draft picks, or their agents, calling teams and asking them NOT to draft their client. What. The. Eff.
I’m with you Samuel. It’s been this way for a long time but occasionally in a situation like this I’m going to post about it and whine about it.
@GaryWarriorsRedSox 100% agree. He got his 250 million already, he needs to shut up and play. I can’t imagine getting paid 250 million and ask out. He should be on his knees every day licking the owner’s shoes for that type of money. You don’t see these MLB players who make that much asking for a trade (besides Arenado). Its really pathetic
He hasn’t asked to be traded. The guy just said he wants to compete for a championship.
There is no way you actually think that Dame should “be on his knees every day licking the owners shoes” for signing the contract THEY offered him. You people are so bad for this sport I can’t even explain because you won’t understand. Absolutely absurd comment.
Lillard has never asked out of his contract or asked to be traded. Every offseason people say he should demand to be treated and he has always responded that he wants to be in Portland his whole career and win a championship there. This is the first offseason he has even mentioned otherwise but he has even still said he wants to be in Portland but isn’t interested in a rebuild at this point of his career. What is wrong with that? They weren’t rebuilding when he signed his extension and if the FO completely changes course and rebuilds then it makes sense to ask to be traded. Its not like he’s AD and sitting out the rest of the season saying he needs to be traded and has to be traded to one specific team.
Being a fan of Dame $$ not residing in the PNW, we all know the writings on the wall and what’s gonna happen here. I’ve always respected his loyalty especially to a team who treated away his boy. I personally think they’re a sexy trade or 2 as well as firing Billups away from the kings from last yr. I hope he stays.
Where to start? This comment is so off base. The NBA is making record revenues from ads, merch and ticket sales. Players are making 10s of millions while ownership makes 100s. I’ve been to several games at the MODA center and I guarantee 100% not a single fan is there watch Jody Allen in luxury suite. Everybody there is there to see Dame or whatever stars on the opposing team. That goes for every team. No one is buying Mark Cuban’s or James Dolan merch. If you’re part of NBA ownership you can’t help to make money and it’s all because of the players. No other league produces stars like the NBA. This wasn’t true 30 years ago. Owning an NBA team wasn’t about making money it was just a way to show you sycophantic friends you how rich you are.
Beal was even worse, and what about Kyrie and KD last yr when Nets were in playoff contention ? All these guys are ruining the game.
I think y’all being a little hard on the guy. I’m sure Blazers fans wouldn’t have been happy should he have just walked for nothing. That contract was a 2 way thing. It’s rewarding a future HOFer for his loyalty on a not so great team. And ensuring if they do go into blow up mode, the team get assets for him leaving.
If they had traded #3 for a contributor I doubt we’d hear any of this. The guy pretty much asked for them to do it, but they didn’t and I’m sure if he goes it’s based on mutual consent they discussed pre-draft. Dame has been the perfect player for a team. He deserves to compete in his last few years. And Portland will still get a big haul for him so where’s the issues?
He ain’t no KD/Harden/Kyrie/Simmons drama queen player. He’s the same as I’m sure Steph would be if GS hadn’t won anything and let all other stars around him walk for young assets. Why should he stay if Portland have stated their intention by drafting the next big PG? Because he signed what he was worth?
You’re right JW in Lillard’s case. I’m not crying foul on him in general. He’s not really being egregiously horrible here. But just zeroing in on the fact he needs to decide on his future. That just doesn’t sit right. You decided on your future when you signed a supermax big money contract for four more years. That’s all. He’s been generally a very good thing for the Blazers and vice versa.
I’m not putting it all on Lillard. Some blame goes to the team, and definitely the media deserves some as well. I won’t cut him any slack though, because some other star has done something similar, or worse, or another ‘probably would’ in a similar situation.
I get where you’re both coming from, but this is the game now. The best players on the teams get max deals. That’s not their fault and it’s expected for players of this level to be traded so the team gets something in return of equal value as oppose for leaving for nothing(unless you’re Washington and Beals NTC ruining any value trade, but I do think they did okay with it considering).
In this situation I think the blame falls more on the FO than Dame. Who have they bought to make a deep push with him? Short of Aldridge in his first couple years. I don’t remember Portland ever having another big star or prime all star.
They could have carried on with the Dame window, traded #3 or even Sharpe for value around him or ship Simons etc for the same result. They have never gone all in and made a real push, yet Dame being ever the professional kept his mouth shut and carried on. He clearly loves the place or he’d have been gone a long time ago, but now is the time for him to have that finial career push with his last couple of good years.
Good discussion here. Just a few thoughts. Dame is playing by the rules the NBA have allowed. Tough to show empathy for billionaires and multi millionaires.
The deeper reasoning is the “curse” of the Balazers draft decisions.
Passing in Air Jordan and Kevin Durant for a weak kneed center, has doomed these loyal NBA fans
Even when they got “lucky” with Bill Walton he soon lost his health
Can you imagine the Trail Blazers owning the “90’s” instead of the Bulls?
Even KD teaming up with Dame instead of the Thunder/Sonics.
Brandon Roy’s injury was another example of bad luck and bad drafting
mws2010 you make good points. What may have been if the chips fell differently.
And wow, Brandon Roy he was one of my favorite players. Too bad his career was shortened. Just a fantastic 6-6, fundamentally sound, mid-range, got it done in the playoffs, and all the rest of that. Still miss the guy lol.
Idea
Warriors get John Colins and Scoot
Blazers get Draymond and Moody
Hawks get Simons
Portland trying their best to push Dame out. Lillard will get paid either way. If he does get traded it will be either the heat or the jazz.
Portland is eager to get this rebuild started because they have a base of young players already in the fold. Getting out of Lillard’s deal is about the only benefit Portland will get from Miami, and he will be headed to Miami. They should grab Tyler Herro in the deal, and then decide which of their guards they want to flip for picks.
Maybe send one to Golden State for Kuminga???
Lillard is not fetching the moon either.
A couple of picks and salary match.
If the teams picks are not good assets then I’d expect 3 picks, and a couple swaps also.
Portland is going to have to deal Lillard to a team that is compettitive, and only has sub-par assets to trade. So likely portland will get a haul, but its really not that impressive.
Hope I’m surprised and somebody beyond Miami, and Brooklyn make the finals for Lillard this summer
Henderson, Simons, Sharpe, Nurkic, little and picks for Ingram, CJ McCollum and Jonas. Or keep Henderson. Bench. Henderson, Sharpe, Reddish, Matisse, Knox, Johnson, Watford, Walker, butler, Badji and Mays. Trade Simons, Nurkic and little for a veteran SG,SF and a better center. Resign Grant
Lewis goes to Portland from NO too*
Murray and Rupert
Draymond Green is an interesting idea for the Blazers. They aren’t as much of a motion offense as the Warriors are, but pairing him with shooters like Simons, Grant, and of course Lillard sounds good on paper. And he’d certainly help their defensive problems. But is that alone enough to make the Blazers a contender? I don’t think so.
I have little faith in Nurkic in the postseason because of his inconsistent defense, and his on-off metrics show that the Blazers have looked better when he hasn’t played over the last two seasons. And can Nurkic handle Jokic, or Sabonis, or Davis, or JJJ, or basically any of the top big men in the league? No way. Simons is also very mediocre defensively. He can kind of defend at the perimeter, but the minute you get into the midrange he’s incapable unless he picks up a steal.
IMO, trade Lillard, S&T Grant, Trade Nurkic, and build around Sharpe, Scoot, Nassir Little, and whoever else you can get for the big ticket guys, and see what you can get out of guys like Knox, Watford, Thybulle, Reddish, and whoever else you can pick up.
Portland has spent most of the last decade failing Dame. Refusing to go into the luxury tax, making bad trades to duck under the tax, constantly failing to develop their picks, and running out playoff lineups that looks like Lillard joined a pickup game. Regardless of the supermax, he’s justified in asking out at this point, especially he signed that contract expecting to compete. Do right by him and get him to a contender, do right by your fans by not giving them false hope, and do right by the rest of your roster by prioritizing them this season.
Dame’s defense has been as been of a factor as anything else of his never sniffing a title run. Undersized guards to lead the way to rings.
Agreed, but counting on Lillard for defense is like counting on Charles Barkley for threes. It’s just not his game. When you can hit clutch shots like Dame, do you really care about his defense? Not really, not as far as his production goes. That’s why you have to build with his lacking defense in mind. And the Blazers have never done so.
Why on earth would Dray pick Portland over Steph Curry?
Its going to be hilarious when GSW flips CP3 for Dame.
I don’t think he would, but it would be interesting to see him in such a lineup and he’d fit well with the team. But note that I never said he’d sign there.
Good luck getting the Blazers to accept that trade. Unless GS includes all their future picks plus Kuminga, Moody, Patrick Baldwin, Anthony Lamb, and Podziemski the Blazers would just laugh. And that would be a ludicrous overpay for GSW. Lillard doesn’t have a NTC, so it’s not going to be Beal-esque lopsided.
And why would Golden State try and trade for Lillard anyway? Who is he going to replace in the starting lineup?
You are absolutely right about what you said and it makes perfectly good sense. I can actually tell you follow the game. Unlike a lot of guys on here that just sounds like haters and don’t make no sense.
I tell you what Damian Lillard is about to turn 33 years old and I honestly think the Portland Trail Blazers got some really nice talent over there!!! If they just trade Jusuf Nurkic and two future second round picks I think you can get Clint Capela from the Atlanta Hawks. The reason I think that trade makes sense is Jusuf Nurkic makes $3 million less than Clint Capela and the Atlanta Hawks want to save money. Then Jusuf Nurkic isn’t nothing but a backup Center and that is what he will be. The Atlanta Hawks will be able to unleash Onyeka Okongwu. He truly has star potential. He’s sat behind Clint Capela for three seasons and it’s time he becomes a starter. Jusuf Nurkic is a defensive liability and can’t guard the pick and roll and has injury prone. Clint Capela is the total opposite of that. After that you resign Jerami Grant. He had a very efficient season last year. Then they also need to resign Matisse Thybulle because he’s a great defensive player. So try to convince your greatest franchise player that you can win at high level with this group. Scoot Henderson has a lot of Derrick Rose to his game and Shaedon Sharpe looks like he got star potential and two way player written all over him.
Starters
SG#17 Shaedon Sharpe 6’5 200
PF#9 Jerami Grant 6’8 210
C#15 Clint Capela 6’10 255
PG#00 Scoot Henderson 6’2 195
PG#0 Damian Lillard 6’2 195
Bench
SG#1 Anfernee Simons 6’3 185
SF#10 Nassir Little 6’5 220
SG#4 Matisse Thybulle 6’5 200
PF#2 Trendon Watford 6’8 240
C#24 Drew Eubanks 6’10 245
I honestly think Damian Lillard should give the young guys a chance because this roster has some crazy talent on it. Yes they young but can develop right before our eyes. If he doesn’t like how they look then the organization can trade him at the trade deadline and the offers will be just as good because he’s under contract for 4 seasons. It’s not like he’s on an expiring deal and he can be a rental. Scoot Henderson will be in the Rookie of the Year discussion. Shaedon Sharpe will be in Most Improved Player discussion. Anfernee Simons will be in the 6th man of the year discussion. Chauncey Billups will be in the Coach of the Year discussion and Joe Cronin will be in the Executive of the Year discussion. Then Damian Lillard will be in the MVP discussion. I’m being serious too. This team can have a crazy ceiling if he gives them one more chance.
If Damian Lillard decides against that then the Portland Trail Blazers will do right by him and send him to either the Miami Heat or Brooklyn Nets. I’m a Pat Riley guy so I would love to see him on the Miami Heat with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. In all honesty the Brooklyn Nets make way more sense for the Portland Trail Blazers. You can use 3 of those first round picks you got from the Phoenix Suns in the Kevin Durant trade. In 2025,2027,&2029 and then the unprotected 2029 pick they got from the Dallas Mavericks in the Kyrie Irving trade.
You send Damian Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic to the Brooklyn Nets. Brooklyn Nets get their star player to go along with Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson. Then they get Jusuf Nurkic to backup Nicolas Claxton and bring that size to bang with some dominant big man. Then the Portland Trail Blazers get Cam Thomas Joe Harris and Ben Simmons with them four first round picks.
I’m with you. I think the FO did well to get to this juncture and keep so many options open.
Capella would be perfect, but would Atlanta let him go? You make a compelling reason, but unlikely they are letting him go for that little. Maybe they’d be interested in Cam Reddish ;)
Unfortunately, I just don’t know how POR upgrades Nurkic. I’d go a different direction, though, and try to slot Grant at SF and find a PF to bring in. That’s why Draymond is so intriguing to me. But that is likely fantasy. Maybe Kelly Olynuk, Kevin Love, they’d be some difficult guys to deal with while Lillard goes to work behind Nurkic.
We shall see if this finally is the time. No way as Blazer’s mgmt you pass on scoot. Sharpe is a stud to add another in the next draft and you are on your way. Trade Simons and grant. Give big minutes to Little, reddish and the like.
I dont really get this. They had a great draft night. They only need a couple of pieces. If anything their biggest need is to get rid of a couple of people…they shouldnt trade him, and I dont get why after everything, now would be the time for Damian Lillard to have some sort of problem. Also, a team like the Heat giving up multiple pieces still doesnt make sense for me, in a trade for him. I just dont see the advantages
Dump Simons, and trade 2 of the several similar options at the 4 (probably keep Walker and Watford), keep Grant and Thybulle, and add 1 more 2/3 and a backup big that can either defend pick and roll and protect the rim, or space the floor, or even get both of those things, and call it an offseason
Trade Lillard to Nets or Detroit Pistons.
I live across the country in a non-NBA town but Lillard has always struck me not only as an exceptional player, but as a good guy. Unless he was really blowing smoke, his comments about the Portland area and wanting to build something with the Blazers previously were breaths of fresh air
And as such, I wonder about the “pressure” that has pushed him into this direction with management. On one side, you have guys being traded for “super set ups” like you see in Phoenix. On the other, you have self-proclaimed geniuses like Stephen A Smith pounding the drum daily that, “Dame, you have to get the hell out of Portland”
If I was a Blazer fan or resident of Portland, I’d be greatly insulted by both this continual push and the insult—implied or otherwise—to my part of the country. What an assclown
All I’d say to Lillard is, be careful what you wish for
Dame has actually raised the “grass isn’t always greener” point before. Several times. So tbh, if he’s honestly considering going elsewhere, it’s because Blazers management has truly exhausted the last threads of his patience. Which wouldn’t surprise me. Loyalty is a two-way street, and other than signing him to a large contract, the Blazers as an organization have failed Dame for years.
This might be the worst comment section in a while. I can only imagine half of these posts of from the Blazer fans that crawl out of their holes every offseason to spit nonsense before hibernation after summer league
If he wants to pay with aging veterans I am certain a Lavine for Dame swap can be arranged, especially if the Bulls continue to be as stupid as they have shown.
On the other hand, if Portland wants to trade all their young players for Vucevich and DeRozan, they could also be arranged.
CP3 for Dame can feasibly happen? Hahahaha
Dame time in the MIA is going to be wild, if it happens. Can’t wait.
From my perspective, it seems as though the things the Heat did in the draft, and bringing in summer league guys, indicates they expect to bring back the same team, after losing Strus and Nnamdi, and possibly kevin Love, and they’re looking for a Duncan replacment. At least, that is what it seems to this point
I agree. It is still more likely the Heat run it back.
I imagine this goes about as awkward as a Jr high dance
Hilarious to me that the same guys saying “Lillard chose his future when he signed the contract” are the same exact guys who clowned players like Schroder for declining his big deal with the Lakers, ultimately leading to him playing for minimum money.
When you get offered a contract for a lot of guaranteed money, you sign it. If the team is able to shop you around after the fact, not sure how the player doing the same is a sin
Wash, I’m with you. Damian Lillard is a good citizen and a loyal player to the Portland Trail blazers. No one is doubting that. At the same time I think the Blazers did him right about as well as they could when they resigned the big Center brought in some Talent from Toronto and Grant. Traded away long time short backcourt mate that wasn’t working. I think management did what they could with the salary cap.
All I’m saying is he took the money and signed four more years at supermax then says he’s going to decide about his future. Okay fine, ask to be traded, but if they decide to not trade you or there’s no good deals out there, then you play where you signed for four more years.
But again yes he’s not like other guys who sign then sit out crying and wanting to be traded. Everyone knows Lillard is a stand-up guy and above those kinds of things.
But it’s not like Lillard is even threatening to sit out. He just said he’s not wanting to be part of a rebuilding team. If anything Dame is doing the Blazers a favor by being the driving force for a trade out. Portland is 10x better off dealing Dame than keeping him. He has given them that opportunity
I started attending NBA games as a 6 year old kid in Syracuse during the 1955-56 season. Yes, that’s right, I didn’t see a game the season before when the Nats won the title because my grandfather thought a 5 year old was too young to be at a professional ballgame. In the 65+ seasons since then I can confidently say I can count on two hands the guys who rival Lillard’s character. Dolph Schayes seemed to be a guy like that, but what does a 6 year old know?!? If anyone ever deserved a championship (apologies to Elgin Baylor) Damian Lillard is that guy. Oh, and 74 isn’t senile, right? I’m still 5 months younger than Popovich and he seems pretty sharp.
If anyone deserves the right to request a trade after a decade of unrelenting loyalty, its Damian Lillard.
I don’t view this as a weak character move, but a move to check some boxes for Lillard personally. Deservedly so.
I wish him the best, and think his timing of exiting now couldn’t be more perfect if winning is his motive, and rebuilding is Portland’s.
Portland owes him their ear, and faciltation of his current request. Whatever that may be.
Love to see him back in P-town next season, but I think the writing is on the wall.
Clyde Drexler left at a similar nexus in his career. I think a lot of portlanders expected this if we couldn’t put a contender together.
Meadowlark, much respect now that I know a little of your background. You’ve only given me flack in the past. I can guess why but I won’t go there now. Again much respect to you.
Yes Damian Lillard is a High character guy and loyal to the Portland Trail Blazers. Also, no one faults him for taking the money. Get it while you can you’re one injury away or one Dennis Schroeder decision away, as the guy mentioned above.
I think what makes this entire thing palatable is that Damian Lillard is still a top-flight player and can bring valuable assets back to portland. It’s hopefully win-win for all three parties to be involved here.
I’m not much for tossing flak. I don’t recall doing that to (at?) you, but I apologize if I did. The dialogue here is often childish I suppose because of the good ol’ “anonymity factor”. I respect your opinions as they are well thought out making you a go to read. Again, if I behaving puerile, mea culpa.
Gary: It would have been absolutely out of character for me to use anything remotely like a racist rant by using “masser”, “shine shoes” or anything like it. About as racist as I could ever be would be along the lines of saying the long out of fashion phrase, “that’s real George”, which arguably could be interpreted as racist.
I believe you are likely right in suggesting someone may have co-opted my name by the addition or subtraction of a letter in the moniker. In any case, with respect to you.
Okay agreed. Forgotten anyways. Look forward to reading your posts and talking basketball.
Henderson, Simons, Sharpe, Nurkic, little and picks for Ingram, CJ McCollum, Jonas and Lewis. Or keep Henderson. Starters PG. Lillard SG CJ McCollum SF.Ingram PF. Grant C. Jonas. Bench Henderson, Sharpe, Reddish, Matisse, Knox, Johnson, Watford, Walker, Murray, Eubanks, Rupert, butler, Badji and Mays. Or Trade Simons, Nurkic and little for a veteran SG,SF and a better center. Resign Grant
Nevermind