Regardless of the raucous talks that sort out about their future uncertainties, it seems that the Portland Path Blazers stay dedicated to Damian Lillard, per Kevin O’Connor of The Ringer.
Per O’Connor, the Blazers are leaning in direction of persevering with to construct round Lillard by seeking to dump their top-three choose in addition to contemplating Anfernee Simons as a commerce asset.
“I hate to inform ya, Dame, however Portland isn’t near a title, and the franchise is clearly prioritizing the longer term if it doesn’t transfer the third choose on this draft. If Shaedon Sharpe isn’t dealt, Damian Lillard may as nicely simply ask out. My league sources say that Portland’s curiosity in constructing round Lillard is real. The entrance workplace is exploring offers for the no. 3 choose, and it’s additionally open to shifting Anfernee Simons.”
Since their season has resulted in a disappointing vogue, Lillard already echoed his opinion to the Blazers: both proceed using with him or pivot for a rebuild and commerce him.
The All-Star cornerstone stays decided to proceed contending together with his beloved franchise, and this could’t be rejected from the truth that he averaged a career-high 32.2 factors in 46.3 % effectivity to go together with 7.3 assists for 58 video games this 2022-23.
Although the extent of competitors within the NBA severely elevated, Portland nonetheless needs to be assured about their probabilities with Lillard as they’ll actually transfer their promising chips like Simons and Shaedon Sharpe to additional improve their roster. The truth that they do additionally maintain the third total choose of this yr’s draft absolutely helps with their need to enhance the staff.
It’s to be seen how the Blazers will deal with this vital offseason in entrance of them. However as Lillard continues his exhausting campaigning and creation of buzzes about probably leaving, the urgency meter is actually going off the charts for them.
