The Portland Trail Blazers front office needs to take a look at all their options right now.
They could look to flip that No. 3 pick to bring an All-Star-caliber player next to Damian Lillard or trade Lillard to a contender for more first-round picks.
There’s also a third scenario — albeit less likely — in which they decide to build around another All-Star player, such as Jaylen Brown.
Whatever the case, Lillard once again made it clear that he doesn’t want to be a part of a rebuilding team, via NBACentral.
“I want to have an opportunity to win in Portland… We got an opportunity, asset-wise, to build a team that can compete. If we can’t do that… then it’s a separate conversation we would have to have”👀
– Dame
(Via @SHOsports / h/t @ClutchPointsApp ) pic.twitter.com/EuULedXuJj
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 7, 2023
Instead, Lillard believes the Blazers have the opportunity to build a contending team with that No. 3 pick, pretty much hinting at his exit unless they put together a solid squad right away.
Lillard has repeatedly reaffirmed his commitment to the Blazers organization and his desire to deliver a championship to Rip City.
But he knows the clock is ticking on his career, and while he claims that he doesn’t mind going ringless as long as he’s competing, he’s also made it more than evident that he wants nothing to do with tanking or bottom-feeding teams.
It’s one thing to go down swinging and fighting; he can live with that kind of “failure.”
It’s the not even trying part that could drive him away from the team.
Lillard has established himself as the greatest player in franchise history and should face no backlash if he decides to take his talents somewhere else.
But it seems like it’ll be up to the team to decide his fate.
NEXT: Damian Lillard Has Reportedly Listed His Oregon Property For Sale
