Damian Lillard Has Requested to Be Traded, per Report
Damian Lillard has finally requested to be traded.
The Portland Trail Blazers legend has reportedly informed the organization that he would like to be moved and Portland is expected to accommodate, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojarnowski and Ramona Shelburne.
The request comes after months, and frankly, years of speculation about Lillard’s future with Trail Blazers. He’s repeatedly committed to Portland but after the organization opted to keep the No. 3 pick and draft Scoot Henderson, the writing was on the wall. Lillard reportedly met with Portland and appears to have made his decision.
Miami and Brooklyn are expected to be among the most likely landing spot for the 32-year-old superstar point guard. It’s unclear who else could be in contention, but the Toronto Raptors are unlikely to be involved. While the Raptors do have the assets to get in the conversation, it’s hard to envision Lillard wanting to come to Toronto, let alone the Raptors being a contending team with the assets they’d have to give up for Lillard.
Portland will likely pivot to its younger core now, building around Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons. The organization did re-sign Jerami Grant to a five-year, $160 million contract Friday night.
Lillard is set to earn $45.6 million next season.
Further Reading
Fred VanVleet Signs With Houston Rockets, per Report