NBA Rumors: Damian Lillard is not leaving the Blazers, not right now
NBA Rumors: Damian Lillard isn’t going anywhere, not yet.
One of the biggest storylines of the summer has revolved around Damian Lillard and whether or not he will demand a trade away from the Portland Trail Blazers before this season – or even at some point this year.
Even though some of that smoke has diminished over the last couple of months, it’s still a question and concern that has to be on the minds of many Blazer fans – and perhaps some inside that front office.
However, every time he’s been asked, Lillard has said all the right things and has made it clear that he hasn’t demanded a trade. He continued to vocalize those same thoughts on an IG Live in which he clearly states that he’s not leaving Portland. Not yet, at least.
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The Portland Trail Blazers’ front office has to feel pressure to improve the roster
Even though this is good news that Lillard continues to be consistent with the idea that he’s not demanding a trade, the fact that he added that final “not yet” can’t sit right with the front office or with Blazers’ fans.
And I don’t think that Lillard did that accidentally. He knows exactly what he’s doing and knows he needs to keep as much pressure on the front office in hopes of adding an upgrade that would help Portland compete with the other contenders in the Western Conference.
As it currently stands, I don’t think anyone is getting the Blazers confused with a true contender. Portland always manages to defy expectations but this team, as it’s currently constructed, is in no way on the same level as the Los Angeles Lakers, LA Clippers, or Phoenix Suns.
And that’s something that Lillard knows and wants to be changed. If there are no upgrades to the roster this season or even at the NBA Trade Deadline, Lillard will have to take a hard look at his cards and figure out what the next best course of action would be.
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The Blazers can relax. Lillard isn’t going to demand a trade right now or even at any point this season, but they’re certainly on the hot seat. Time is ticking for this front office.