Let's Set Odds: Has Damian Lillard Played His Last Game As A Blazer?
Damian Lillard may have played his last game as a Portland Trail Blazer.
Lillard will undergo surgery to repair an abdominal injury that has been lingering for a while now. Lillard has been dealing with this injury since the Summer Olympics and has missed several games this season due to it.
Currently, Lillard doesn’t have a timetable for a return and with the Blazers struggling as they are, it may be best to shut him down for the remainder of the season.
Trade talks surrounding Lillard have gotten to an all-time high, especially with the possibility of a Ben Simmons-for-Damian Lillard trade. Over the years, Lillard has expressed his loyalty to the organization, but it may be time for both parties to go their separate ways considering the outlook of the franchise.
Nothing has been reported as official yet, but let’s set the odds on if Lillard has played his last game as a Blazer and state the case for each side.
Odds That Damian Lillard Played Last Game With Blazers
- Yes: +550
- No: - 1000
Lillard Will Be Back
It’s always hard to predict a specific trade, even if the pieces are laid out. Lillard’s outwardly comments expressing his content with being in Portland makes things a little more complicated. It wouldn’t be a great look if a small market team traded its best player after they said they wanted to stay.
The noise around Lillard wanting a trade and/or the Blazers shopping him has gotten loud, but there are other deals to make that could actually bring talent into Portland. C.J. McColllum could be the piece that ultimately gets moved to get Lillard a new sidekick.
The Blazers have had a lot of injuries in the last couple years, so maybe Portland decides to keep Lillard and try and try again.
Lillard Won’t Be Back
Sometimes things happen for a reason and you just have to let life run its course. I think the Blazers and Lillard can come to that realization that the best thing for them to do is part ways. Unless the Blazers turn into the Celtics in 2008 and acquire two all-stars this offseason, they aren’t winning a championship.
The Trail Blazers are about to have a new general manager, are one year into Chauncey Billups’ tenure and aren’t the most attractive spot for free agents. Everything is saying to tear it down and start from the ground up.
It’s going to be weird seeing Lillard in another jersey, but there are plenty of teams in “win-now” mode that would be serious contenders with Lillard that would give up a lot to get him. I think the Blazers know that and will act accordingly.