Portland Trail Blazers
What to be grateful for: Damian Lillard’s loyalty
After the Portland Trail Blazers traded CJ McCollum at last year’s NBA Trade Deadline, it would’ve been extremely easy for Damian Lillard to inform the front office that he was ready for a change of scenery and a trade. Because of their good relationship, the front office probably would’ve worked with Dame to find him a good home.
Instead, Dame elected to sign another contract extension with the team and dug in on his stance of remaining loyal to the Blazers. So far that decision has worked out. The Blazers have outperformed expectations thus far. For that, Portland should be grateful.
Instead of abandoning ship, Dame decided to be all-in with the franchise and this retooling and it has paid off thus far. The Blazers are still likely a piece or two away from being a true championship contender, but weren’t they essentially in that place before?