Damian Lillard will play for Team USA if someone drops out

Jul 30, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Damian Lillard smiles at a referee during a stoppage in a team scrimmage at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2014; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Team USA guard Damian Lillard smiles at a referee during a stoppage in a team scrimmage at Mendenhall Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Portland Trail Blazers have one of the best young guards in the NBA on their roster but he’s not a name on Team USA’s roster as they prepare for the World Cup this weekend. Things get started on Saturday but Damian Lillard won’t be part of the action — well, at least not unless someone gets hurt or drops out first.

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According to CSNNE.com, if there’s a player that needs to drop out of Team USA this year then Lillard will be the first one getting a call to duty.

"Prior to being left off of the final 12-man roster last week, the Portland Trail Blazers’ All-Star point guard was informed that there could be a possibility he’d be added to the roster if one of their players, in particular Derrick Rose who has been dealing with knee soreness, were unable or opted not to continue the journey, a league source told CSNNW.com."

He was a snub in the eyes of many for the Team USA roster but Lillard being left off the roster had more to do with the influx of guards Team USA had rather than his level of talent. In fact, he’s so coveted by the national team that he’s already on deck to be a part of the World Cup, which says a lot about how much the team indeed loves him.

Be sure to check FanSided.com’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league all summer long.