NBA: The ins and outs of the supermax and who should take the deal
By Cole Raines
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
With Damian Lillard receiving All-NBA honors once again, he is eligible for the five-year, $240 million extension from Portland and has stated he will sign the deal.
Similar to Russell Westbrook’s supermax, it is a deal that will pay him out of respect for what he has done for the Portland Trail Blazers. Unlike Westbrook, Damian Lillard’s game will age more gracefully. Westbrook has relied on shear strength, speed, and athleticism, while Damian has relied shooting and creating offense.
I think this is a no-brainer for both sides here, Damian Lillard will be able to play in Portland what I assume will be the rest of his career. For Portland, they have McCollum and Nurkic under contract, big money in Evan Turner and Maurice Harkless coming off the books, and will be able to build a team around their star they have locked up for what will most likely be the remainder of his career.
It is a good deal for both sides, Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers should both be happy with the contract that will be signed soon.