'I'm Telling You!' Milwaukee Bucks Superstar Damian Lillard Praises OKC Thunder Point Guard Tre Mann

Damian Lillard wasn't shy of his praise for one of the Oklahoma City Thunder's younger pieces, comparing him to a former breakout teammate of his in Portland and praising him on a recent podcast appearance.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Tre Mann might not be getting ample playing time this season, but he doesn't need to be. 

For one current NBA superstar, his ceiling is already visible.  

After attending a Damian Lillard pro camp — which the Bucks point guard says is for up-and-coming stars "looking to turn the corner" — Mann made a strong impression, especially with his on-ball skillset. And Lillard wasn't short of praise.

"I don't know if it's going to be in Oklahoma City, but wherever it's at, Tre Mann is nice," Lillard said on a recent podcast appearance. "They're deep over there. I think he's going to have to move, [but] when he get[s] an opportunity somewhere, I'm telling you." 

It's hard to imagine, especially given how little Mann has played this season with the new-look Thunder. Young additions like Chet Holmgren and Cason Wallace have told the story of the NBA's second-youngest team's rise to the top of the Western Conference, leaving players like Mann with less opportunity.

This season, the point guard has seen action in six games, averaging four points, two rebounds and 1.3 assists on 55 percent shooting — all numbers lower than what he's used to averaging with Oklahoma City. In years past, Mann has averaged upwards of 10 points per contest while also showcasing his facilitation skills. 

Safe to say, Lillard has taken notice.

"He reminds me, like how he [does] stuff, and what he's capable of, how [Anfernee Simons] is," Lillard said. "The same thing I saw in Ant, is how I see him."

Simons has had his moments in the league, including taking home the NBA Dunk Contest trophy in 2021. He was labeled a rising star and followed a strong improvement blueprint that led to him averaging more than 17 points a season for the last three straight. 

He came from averaging single digits and quickly became one of Portland's stronger, core pieces. Mann has the potential to do the same, though like Lillard mentioned, it might not be with Oklahoma City. 

The Thunder currently sit at the No. 3 seed in a loaded Western Conference, fresh off of a dominant home victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. It has depth and an incredibly high ceiling — Mann included — which could bode well for the young point guard's continued development.

And, if he's lucky, he could also soak up some experience from a deep playoff run, which would set him up nicely as his career progresses.

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