It’s been said many times before but the upcoming season needs to be a good one for the Portland Trail Blazers.
The team is on the verge of being one of the worst in the West.
And they don’t have a lot of prospects to turn things around unless a major trade occurs.
Yes, Damian Lillard is set to return after a rough previous season, surgery, and rehabilitation.
But no one knows if we will be getting the same Lillard we have seen in the past.
Portland fans are terrified that Lillard could finally leave the team behind.
For years now, people have worried that Lillard could find greener pastures elsewhere in the league after years of trying and grinding it out with the Blazers.
However, it sounds like he still wants to stick around.
Damian Lillard remains committed to Rip City 💯 pic.twitter.com/DqneLNDklS
— The Ringer (@ringer) October 12, 2022
“I want to win as a Trail Blazer,” Lillard said.
He continued: “I want to win a championship where I am. I don’t think I would feel the same joy and happiness if I did it elsewhere,” Lillard said about leaving the Trail Blazers.
It sounds like he will remain in Portland but what are the chances that he retires as a Blazer?
Is Dame Time Running Out?
No one will ever question Lillard’s desire to stay in Portland.
Yet, even with his hopes and dreams, he might still leave the team within the next few years.
He recently signed a big contract extension but he could still request a trade.
That is especially true if it becomes very apparent that winning a Finals – or even getting to one – with Portland isn’t possible.
He mentioned that he wouldn’t feel “joy and happiness” winning with another team but is a ring more important than joy and happiness to Lillard?
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