NBA Draft rumors: Damian Lillard could demand trade from Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers own the No. 3 pick in the upcoming NBA Draft. That doesn’t really align with the team’s immediate goal of building a championship contender around Damian Lillard, something the front office has managed to do approximately zero times during Lillard’s 11-year professional career.
While the Blazers can absolutely add an instant impact player at No. 3 — most likely Scoot Henderson — there’s a good chance Portland explores the trade market. Lillard has made it very clear he does not want a bunch of young talent populating the roster.
If Portland can’t put a winner around him, Lillard may finally consider a trade request.
“I want to have an opportunity to win in Portland… We got an opportunity, asset-wise, to build a team that can compete. If we can’t do that… then it’s a separate conversation we would have to have”
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) June 6, 2023
Damian Lillard on the Blazers' future
(via @SHOsports)pic.twitter.com/s7XPkZmyXQ
The Portland fanbase is split on the direction the franchise should take. There’s a contingent of rational thinkers who look at the current roster, recognize Lillard’s rapidly advancing age, and see a Lillard trade as not only inevitable, but necessary. Others want to cling tightly to Lillard for as long as possible. There’s certainly an admirable quality to Lillard’s intense loyalty to his team.
Henderson is a genuine top-tier guard prospect and he should be able to share the court fruitfully with Lillard. If Portland can then re-sign Jerami Grant or add more pieces on the margins, maybe the team does take a noticeable step toward contention. On the other hand, the odds of winning the title with rookie Scoot Henderson as your No. 2 are infinitesimal, and the consequences of trading Henderson for a shortsighted win-now move would be severe. It really might be time to cut ties with Lillard and embrace what’s next.