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Portland Trail Blazers to pick up Damian Lillard’s option

By Andrew Melnick

May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) yells "Rip City" into the arena PA after hitting the game winning shot during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
May 2, 2014; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) yells "Rip City" into the arena PA after hitting the game winning shot during the fourth quarter in game six of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Portland Trail Blazers exceeded all expectations last season.

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Led by power forward LaMarcus Aldridge and point guard Damian Lillard, the Blazers earned the fifth seed with a record of 54-28 last season. They upset the Houston Rockets in the first round in six games and then were defeated by the San Antonio Spurs in five games (a gentleman’s sweep) in the second round.

The Blazers want to keep their team intact and will have to re-sign Aldridge following the season. Obviously, they want to keep Lillard long-term as well and have begun the process of doing just that.

According to Chris B. Haynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Blazers should be announcing they have picked up Lillard’s fourth year option.

Picking up the option is certainly a no-brainer like Haynes says and Lillard will almost certainly get a max level contract as soon as he is eligible.

Lillard averaged 20.7 points, 5.6 assists and 3.5 rebounds while shooting 42.4% from the field, 39.4% from beyond the arc and 87.1% from the free throw line last season. During the postseason, Lillard put up 22.9 points, 6.5 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game while shooting 43.9% from the field, 38.6% from three and 89.4% from the charity stripe. In his two-year career, the sixth-overall pick of the 2012 NBA Draft, has averaged 19.9 points, 6.0 assists and 3.3 rebounds per game while shooting 42.7% from the field, 38.1% from three and 85.9% from the charity stripe.

Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.

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