Damian Lillard met with LeBron this offseason about potential Lakers move

Longtime Portland Trail Blazer Damian Lillard revealed how a conversation with LeBron James made him contemplate a move to the Lakers.

Throughout his career, Damian Lillard has remained extremely loyal to the Portland Trail Blazers. However, when he and the team fell in the first round of the playoffs last year to a short-handed Nuggets team, Lillard was clearly put in a position in which he questioned the future of the Trail Blazers and, perhaps, his future there.

Soon after, Lillard was in Los Angeles to shoot a music video. While in the city and attending a WNBA game, he caught up with Lakers superstar LeBron James — and also not a stranger to recruiting for superteams.

At some point in that meeting, James invited Lillard to his home to discuss his future in the NBA, specifically, whether or not he would consider leaving Portland for Los Angeles permanently, per Lillard’s own account of the events to Yahoo Sports. Lillard said LeBron told him to “have lunch to talk shop” and that he obliged.

Damian Lillard, LeBron James met to discuss a potential move to the Lakers

James was joined by fellow Lakers teammate Anthony Davis for an Italian meal over a bottom of rosé on Jame’s rooftop when the trio spent an hour-and-a-half discussing Lillard’s future.

Lillard clarified that LeBron didn’t outwardly tell the Trail Blazers guard to come to L.A. but, rather, what it would look like. For the Portland star’s part, he said he already knew “it would work out” if that were to happen.

While he was being pitched the Lakers, though, Lillard accepted the meeting out of respect for James. However, he just wanted his organization to care about winning a championship as much as he does.

“The whole time I knew I was a Trail Blazer, but obviously coming off that playoff loss, I was like, ‘We got to do something to show we’re actually trying to win it,’” Lillard explained, going on to talk about what he spoke about with the Portland organization about steps being taken to try and win a title.

With new head coach Chauncey Billups in Portland, Lillard noted he feels more at home and still remains committed to bringing the Trail Blazers a championship.