For the last several seasons, many people have speculated about the future of Damian Lillard with the Portland Trail Blazers.
Because Lillard is so good and the Blazers are constantly so disappointing, there are countless people who feel he will eventually decide to try his luck with another team in the league.
Yet, Lillard has stuck it out with Portland through the thickest and thinnest moments.
Damian Lillard says the ‘grass isn’t always greener’ when you leave a franchise
“You look at Russell Westbrook. You leave OKC for Houston, then James [Harden] decided he's leaving, now Russ is traded to D.C., then you get traded from D.C. to the Lakers, now you're on your fourth… https://t.co/PpGurFAvw5 pic.twitter.com/kIuKq8sVsF
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) February 28, 2023
He recently gave some insight, courtesy of ESPN via the above tweet, into why he isn’t parting ways with the only NBA team he’s ever known.
“You look at Russell Westbrook. You leave OKC for Houston, then James [Harden] decided he’s leaving, now Russ is traded to D.C., then you get traded from D.C. to the Lakers, now you’re on your fourth team in four years and in your second year on the team,” Lillard said.
He added: “Now you’re coming off the bench. This dude is a Hall of Famer, an MVP. It’s an example that the grass isn’t always greener.”
Lillard’s Westbrook example is a pretty good one and it certainly rings true.
Westbrook left the Thunder for the Rockets with the best of intentions but since that move, he has bounced around the league and hasn’t ever found a team that truly fits for him.
Lillard is afraid of that happening to him.
If he wanted to, Lillard would be able to depart the Blazers for just about any other team in the league.
He is still one of the best guards in the NBA.
However, there is no certainty of success with any of those teams.
This sort of move could hurt his brand, his image, and his legacy.
Lillard is right: the grass isn’t always greener at a different location.
Instead, he is choosing to ride it out with the Blazers, hoping they can finally give him the right sort of reinforcements and a team that can help him reach the playoffs and beyond.
He is playing some of the best basketball of his career and yet his team is still struggling.
But Lillard isn’t going anywhere.
NEXT: Shannon Sharpe Makes It Clear Where He Ranks Damian Lillard
