Damian Lillard Makes A Clear Statement On His Differences With Trail Blazers

For years, NBA fans urged Damian Lillard to get out of the Portland Trail Blazers.

They thought he was wasting his talents there, and it seemed like he was never going to take that step.

That changed at the beginning of the offseason, as he gave them an ultimatum about his desire to pursue an NBA championship there.

They didn’t trade their draft picks to get proven players who could help them win now, and it eventually led to Lillard formally requesting a trade.

The weeks have gone by, and nothing has happened, but Lillard hasn’t changed his stance either.

With that in mind, he recently said on the BACKONFIGG SHOW that he and the organization clearly don’t want the same things right now (via Real GM and NBACentral).

“You don’t want the same thing no more and you show me that you don’t want the same thing. We don’t want the same thing.”

– Damian Lillard on the Portland Trailblazers

(Via BACKONFIGG SHOW / h/t @RealGM ) pic.twitter.com/8NPlrr4Qts

— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 19, 2023

Notably, that was evident as soon as the Blazers decided to use their No. 3 pick to land Scoot Henderson.

Lillard had literally let them know that he didn’t want them to use those picks, and they used the top pick to get his replacement.

Obviously, it makes perfect sense for the Blazers organization to do such a thing, considering Henderson is a potential superstar at the point guard position.

But then, why hold onto Lillard instead of granting him his wish of being traded?

Granted that Lillard shouldn’t get to handpick his next destination, but having him there could only stunt Henderson’s development, not to mention the fact that having a disgruntled star in the locker room has rarely had a positive outcome.

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Insider Says A ‘Mystery’ Team Has Engaged In Trade Talks For Damian Lillard