2. Do a sitdown interview
Following in the footsteps of his possible new teammate, perhaps Damian Lillard could take a page out of Jimmy Butler’s trade playbook. When Jimmy was trying to force his way out of Minnesota, he decided to do an honest and savage sitdown interview with ESPN’s Rachel Nichols. It may not have been a magical trade button, but it certainly applied another layer of pressure on the Wolves to fulfill his trade request.
It took another month, but Jimmy was eventually traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. Maybe a sitdown interview with, say, Chris Haynes or another one of his trusted reporters is an idea that Lillard and his camp should explore. In the interview, he can clear up some things and attempt to change the narrative around his trade request.
Right now, the public perception is sided with the Blazers. Especially after it was reported that Lillard wanted to be traded to only the Heat. If he can prove that he was misled or that the front office promised him one thing and did another, there’s no question that the public perception can quickly change.
There’s much clarity and pressure that can come from a sit-down interview. Though, admittedly, it is quite risky. Especially if Lillard isn’t that interested in burning bridges with the fan base.