Addressing a report that stated he plans to request a trade, Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard told reporters today that “it’s not true” (Twitter link via Mark Medina of USA Today).
Henry Abbott of TrueHoop reported this morning that Lillard intended to ask for a trade within the next few days, citing a source close to the player. However, according to the All-NBA guard, those rumors aren’t coming from him and he still hasn’t made any firm decisions about his future (Twitter link via Chris Mannix of SI.com).
Prior to Lillard’s media availability, Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian also disputed Abbott’s report.
Although Lillard denied that any trade request is imminent, he also made it clear he’s not fully satisfied with the situation in Portland and would like to see more urgency from the Blazers (Twitter link via Medina).
Lillard thinks new head coach Chauncey Billups can help the team improve, but doesn’t view Billups as the missing piece, telling reporters that he doesn’t believe the roster as constructed is championship-caliber (Twitter link via Sean Highkin of Bleacher Report).
Frank Isola of SiriusXM NBA Radio (Twitter link) reported this afternoon that Lillard will meet with Billups and Blazers president of basketball operations Neil Olshey in Las Vegas today, which the point guard confirmed. However, Lillard made it clear that Olshey and Billups were already in Vegas and that it won’t be a “big, crazy meeting” — just a conversation (Twitter links via Medina and Mannix).
According to Lillard, as long as the franchise is taking strides toward competing for a championship, his preference is still to be a Blazer for his entire career. When asked if he envisions himself in Portland next season, he said yes (Twitter links via Marc Spears of The Undefeated).
While the Blazers can perhaps breathe a little easier knowing that they won’t have to deal with a Lillard trade demand in the coming days, the 31-year-old’s comments will put a tremendous amount of pressure on Olshey to upgrade the roster this offseason. With limited cap flexibility and no 2021 draft picks available, Olshey may have to get creative and be willing to take a bigger swing on the trade market in the coming weeks to make sure Lillard is happy heading into 2021/22.
I think it’s pretty much common knowledge that if Lillard wants to play on a championship-caliber NBA team at some point in his career, he will have to leave the Blazers.
I disagree. With a new coach they just need to start playing defense. You can’t win playing offense only. Bring in a few defense only players.
That isn’t enough for them to compete for a championship. The Blazers haven’t surrounded Lillard with the right players throughout his career to make them championship-caliber anyway. There is no reason to expect them to do a 180 now.
They have some good players but they need a new system of playing. For years the other team just needed to outscore them for a win. Suns changed to play some defense and now they can win a championship.
Yeah @arc89 is right. POR had the 2nd best offensive rating this year, but the 29th best defensive rating. They clearly have the talent and ability to put the ball in the next, the problem is keeping the ball out of the opposing teams net. Lillard doesn’t need to change teams, they just need to trade McCollum for a lockdown defender and they will already be on their way to improving greatly.
The point is that the Blazers FO has consistently shown an unwillingness and/or inability to make the correct moves.
The solutions some people mention, like trading McCollum or just getting better defensive players, for example, have been true for a while. The FO has failed to make those moves, however. Hence Lillard’s frustration. Many of us have known that they have needed to make those moves for a while, but the FO has not done it. That is why the Blazers have not been a championship-caliber team during Lillard’s career, and likely will not be one going forward during his career.
If Lillard is frustrated, why doesn’t he lead by playing some defense?
Who is that player though? And doesn’t that significantly reduce their offense? So then they become 15th in D and 14th in O?
The issue with Portland is simple: They don’t have a true second guy. And they have no route to get him, bc you can’t trade McCollum, a 3rd guy, for a 2nd guy. And they have no sweeteners to add to CJM to bridge the gap in a trade.
A lot depends on the owner and who opts out. Luckily defense players are paid a lot cheaper than offense. The owner needs to step up and pay over cap to make them a playoff team. They should keep a eye on Payton 3 if the warriors don’t keep him. Perfect back up for Lillard when he is out so the other team doesn’t run up the score when he is resting.
Are defense only players gonna get buckets in the 4th quarter against the nuggets? Lol
they will not need to score 140 points to win games
Knowledge implies something based on facts. Look at the two teams in the Finals. How many ppl thought Milwaukee would be in this position? How many assumed that IF Giannis ultimately won a chip it would be on another team? How many thought Phoenix would be in the Finals with Paul largely being a big reason for their success. Yes, injuries played a part but if we don’t use health to protect Paul from his past disappointments then chalk injured players as part of the game.
Lillard absolutely could win it all. imo it’s about getting the right glue guy to bring it all together.
Why wouldn’t anyone pick the Bucks? They’ve been one of the better teams in the east since they fired Kidd and hired Bud.
Because most ppl had other teams wringing it because they were more talented. Furthermore, history has shown that most small market teams don’t win chips.
Since ’81 it’s been Boston, LA, Chicago, San Antonio, Philly, Miami, Detroit, Houston, Bay Area, Dallas and Toronto. Not exactly small market teams. Cleveland is the only true small market team to win a chip.
Then why hasn’t NYC had a championship in one of the largest markets in the world? This argument is an excuse, if you create the right culture with a complementary roster you win. San Antonio e.g. was not a so-called large market when it came into the league and it barely qualifies now relative to the other franchises based upon population counts.
NBA’s just wide open imo so its a feeling we haven’t had in a decade
Mil isn’t shocking to me at all
Phx sure, a little, but they feel more random than a model for success to be duplicated by other teams moving forward. They are also a sign of the changing of the guards in the West soon to come from many organizations
Counterpoint: Portland’s been playing that IT COULD BE US card for a half a decade and it hasn’t happened.
There are 12 teams every year where you could say “Well they COULD win it IF everything breaks right for them”
But that usually doesn’t happen. It’s rare. Usually guys like Harden are healthy and teams like the Nets beat the Bucks. And teams like the Lakers beat the Suns.
Every year there are 12 teams that it could happen for, right now the nba is changing, the superstars of the 2010s are gone or on their way out or fading from supreme level talents, aside from lebron and cp3, it’s goin to have to break perfect for any team to win now, Lilliards only way to be sure he wins a ring is to go to the lakers and neither the lakers or Portland can make that trade happen, any other team he goes to still needs everything to break right for them, Nurkic could’ve been Jokic if nurk didn’t stay hurt and played to his capabilities every night, but he doesn’t and a crazy way to change that, coaching changes, Portland would be smart to trade whatever future first rounders they have available and CJM for and upgrade on CJM and get Nurk to remove his head from his @$$
Agreed, Chief. Eventually he has to find his way to Miami to achieve his goal of winning a championship
If a team really wants Lillard, they will have to make Huge overpaid offer
1 young proven star
6 future first round picks
or
1 young proven star
1 good player
3 future Firsts
So a good player to you is worth 3 first rounders? Define good. Are we talking Collin Sexton? Are we talking Pascal Siakam? Somewhere in between? I just want to know your scale.
He didn’t say good/bad picks
Read it again. He added one good player and subtracted 3 future first round picks. That is what hiflew was referring to. I’m not commenting on Sillivan’s post, just clarifying hiflew’s response for you.
I agree with Chief. A new coach is a good start but they need better talent. Simons can start for a lot of teams. Why not try to get an athletic big or wing for him? Myles Turner needs a change in scenery. Why not try him?
I think they may have to shake it up and deal away McCollum…either for another star player or for depth since Portland can’t seem to stay healthy
Mccollum isn’t very dealable as the article said. If that’s your solution, you don’t have one.
It’s the contract!
If the Portland Trail Blazers fumble this Lillard situation, they need to sell and move that team. Dame is looking for ANY reason to stay. The Blazers need to get their thumbs out of their behinds and give him that reason. You don’t trade a player like Lillard, especially if he ultimately is willing to stay. You do anything and everything you can to make that team into a championship contender, ASAP.
Dame legally can’t say he wants out right now in public. I trust the rumor mill 10x more than a public statement when it comes to this stuff.
Why is it all about Lillard? Shouldn’t a team try to win anyway?— yes.
That is way to dramatic.
Re the Celtics…the most important step Boston can take is to stop hanging Brown and Smart out on the meat hook. Declare their value to the team and stop the rumors. Cripes…they are also human beings as well as talented basketball players which translates to the fact that they and their families deserve more respect than the rumor mill affords!
If you want Lillard, you have to offer Brown and picks and….
Boston is one of the few teams with enough assets to make a real offer. OKC has the picks, but they are just an unknown value at this point. They could be good, but they could also be a collection of picks in the 20s.
Boston has enough young players to add to a budding star like Jaylen Brown in order to at least make Portland think about a deal.
2 thoughts on that does Portland go out and rebuild or do they ask for another big star to come to town to stay relevant? Problem is we don’t know what their management is thinking.
There are several teams with the assets I’d rather have BAM from the heat than Brown.
Doubt Miami puts Bam on the table
Brown’s intriguing.
Can you build a team around him in the West? How many 1sts will Boston toss in?
I still think the best potential offer is Ingram + NO’s pick stash. But does Zion want to be in NO?
At least in Boston you know Dame + Tatum is a sure thing.
I mean of course he is going to deny it publicly. It’s a fine for a player to publicly demand a trade.
Exactly. There was a greater likelihood of Dame coming out and pulling a Peewee Herman and j*cking off in public today than confirming that he wanted a trade.
For the record Pee Wee wasn’t doing it in public — it was a porno theatre. And hard to believe but the clientele isn’t going there to watch a 90 minute narrative…
I did not know that. I thought he just whipped it out on a sidewalk.
In my mind failing to whip it out in a porno theatre should be the felony, not vice versa.
The problem is that he didn’t address the controversy head on, instead shrinking away and letting headlines written by other people tell his story.
In reality he’s a brilliant, creative, comedic mind who got shafted (so to speak).
Don’t believe me? Ask any of his creative partners: Phil Hartman, Gary Panter, Mark Mothersbaugh, Laurence Fishburne…
Phil Hartman could not be reached for comment…
Please direct all inquiries to his estate’s representation: unfrozen caveman lawyer
lol
Good enough for me if I’m Olshey
I take this as a thing, maybe it is maybe it isnt, but I strongly think he stays now 22 and they have (possibly) another convo in 365 days again if need be
What Id really be interested in is hearing about the side parts Dame wants shuffled out/in etc etc etc …if any at all ofc….but Id assume something and this is the natural time that info needs to be passed neway, what better place than Vegas!
Olshey doesn’t need to make Lillard “happy” with his moves this offseason. He’s done that every year of Lillard’s career, and this is where they are as a result. He needs to reset the roster to give it a better chance to complete for a championship (i.e., do his job). The deal for FO’s is clear. Star players want all kinds of things to happen on the roster, but a FO can make them ALL happen, and if it doesn’t work out to the point of the team being able to compete for a championship, the player will still want to leave.
Thanks. Some people act like Dame is a damsel in distress and must be saved!
Same ol, same ol in Portland.
I agree with you guys (DXC & x%sure) I mean I am a big fan of Dame & above all his loyalty… but I must say most postseasons than not he has failed to live up to his expectations, he plays too much hero ball, this year he was great, his best ever in the playoffs, but many years when the chips are down, he freezes… & believe me no one wants a frozen chip, right? ;0)
Have I commented on this thread multiple times? Perhaps.
Is it a non-story? Yes.
KD vs Warriors/Steph stan twitter today was absolutely insane. More entertaining than a lot of games lol I cant believe we get to have the GOATs interact with literal peons, teenagers, lol mind blown so much “let me speak” ahahah
I cannot believe twitter is free. You wake up not knowing in a couple hours you will be arguing voice to voice about basketball with goats like KD, as KD lets loose on his usual targets (Ethan Strauss) man what a day lol
Ben Simmons, Mattise Thybulle, 2 first round picks and 2 second round picks.
Dame and Embiid = NBA finals
Dame would be excellent in teaching Maxey too.
For the blazers it would be a great way to start abit of a rebuild. Simmons is an all star and all nba talent. Thybulle was all defensive teams.
Then make some trades, McCollum and Leaf for Heild and Bagley would be a start. Then flip Nurkic.
Blazers would look something like
Simmons Heild Thybulle Covington Bagley Simons Little and have flexibility with Nurkic, DJJ and Powell. Plus the picks
Maxey has coaches & his own way which requires he do it fast.
So far Dame hasn’t been a great teacher for Simons, right?
Wouldn’t hold my breath if I was Maxey, right?
Y’all really picking me up on 1 line that was hardly that relevant anyways.
But to address it, I think Dame would be good for Maxey. Maxey is a similar build and size to Dame and his game is a lot more similar. A point/combo guard. That plays score first but is a decent passer. Dame is a much better shooter and that’s somewhere Maxey need to improve. Maxey also leaves nothing to chance and gives 100% every chance he has. Whereas Simons in size was slimmer, he predominantly plays the 2, isn’t a great shooter and didn’t facilitate well. He seems abit soft and is more known for his highlight dunks than making good smart plays.
I think Dames leadership would motive Maxey and bring the best out of him. Plus constantly working with him in the gym I think he’s get better at shooting and passing.
Replacing Simmons with Dame aint beating Brooklyn, sorry, not happening…
They have 28.8M to upgrade trading Roco, Jones, Simons, and Little. And they can S&T Powell.
If they keep CJ and Dame then you’re looking at frontcourt upgrades.
Best potentially available front court players are KP 31.6M Wiggins 31.5 Siakam 31.3M Hayward 29.9M. Then you drop down in salary to Barnes 20.2M Turner 18M and then you’re into Rookie Deals like MB3 11.3M or a S&T candidate Markkanen.
Turner or KP instantly upgrade the defense. But then do you keep Nurkic or is he used in a deal for one of them?
The other route would be use CJ, retain Powell, Melo, and retain your depth. Like does this 5 get you over the hump?
Trade CJ:
Nurkic
KP
RoCo
Powell
Dame
Trade Nurkic:
KP
Melo
Powell
CJ
Dame
He’s 31 so Blazers have to move CJ. And then make it work. It’s only way to upgrade team and keep Dame. He’s got 4 good yrs. So they better not miss on trade or FA. Hawks and Collins is way to go. Hawks also get better with CJ. Helps both teams imo. Blazers are not that far away. If Suns can go from out of playoffs. To
2-2 in NBA Finals In one yr. Blazers can contend next yr with right trade.
Example: Collins, Bogdanovic, Reddish, and a pick.
They can do a S&T for Collins with RoCo, Simons, Little, and Jones Jr. 28.8M almost matches exactly to the baby max for players with less than 6 yrs.
That would give them
Nurkic
Collins
Melo
CJ/Powell
Dame
They’d need to bring in a guy like Otto Porter on the MLE, who I think might be a hot commodity for that slot.
They might also be able to get some additional cheap scoring for vet min guys.
ET Moore, Bazemore, Matthews… that ilk. Front court is still shallow. They’d need to find a backup 4/5 like a James Johnson, Dieng, something like that.
I’m not buying the Replicate Phoenix narrative.
It’s like saying because your neighbor won the lottery that you should start buying tickets.
Looking to trade CJ is prudent. But I don’t think he has a lot of value except for win now teams. And win now teams probably aren’t going to send you win now players in exchange for him.
They could do a S&T CJ for Collins. I think the Hawks would be interested in that. They don’t seem too keen on paying Collins. If the Hawks did that… I think they could trade for MB3 cheaply to fill that F/C role. He has just enough outside game to play next to Capela when Gallo isn’t in. And he can play the 5 when Capela goes to the bench.