Damian Lillard has been the cornerstone of the Portland Trail Blazers for over a decade. A rare four-year collegiate player, Lillard was drafted sixth overall out of Weber State in 2012. He has since gone on to become a seven-time all-star, seven-time All-NBAer, and Rookie of the Year in 2013.
This past season, Lillard put up the third-most points per game (32.2) in the NBA. Furthermore, he was tenth in assists per game (7.3). Despite this, the Blazers missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, going 33-49. However, the Blazers are reportedly in a "win now for Lillard" mode. This includes going as far as to indicate that the third-overall pick in the NBA draft is up for grabs. Also up for grabs? Damian Lillard. Rumors are steadily increasing that the Blazers could trade Lillard, with the star himself indicating that he wouldn't mind a trade to Miami.
Smith Supports Lillard Leaving Portland
Speaking on First Take on June 7, Stephen A. Smith revealed he was all in on Lillard getting out of Portland. "I have been BEGGING Damian Lillard to get the hell out of Portland. ... He's not winning in Portland. It will not happen," Smith said during a three-minute monologue on the topic. Furthermore, Smith revealed that he had advocated for Lillard and former Blazer CJ McCollum to both get out of Portland for many years. McCollum, also appearing on the show, also gave his thoughts about the situation. "The market will dictate what happens here. ... If I was a betting man, I would say this is the last that we've seen of him [in Portland]," he said.
It's a damning, yet fair, indictment of the situation in Portland. In Lillard's tenure with the team, they have made the Western Conference Finals once (2019). Beyond that run, they have made the Conference Semifinals two other times (2014, 2016). However, they are simply not a championship-caliber team and it would take the moon, their stock of future draft picks, and a healthy dose of luck to build a one-and-done championship machine. Regardless, what do you think - should Lillard get out of Portland? Let us know in the comments.
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