The Portland Trail Blazers have one of the best players in the NBA in Damian Lillard.
Lillard was drafted by the Trail Blazers in the first round of the 2012 NBA Draft.
He has been in Portland ever since.
While Lillard has been successful from an individual standpoint, his teams have rarely ever been good.
Lillard has made it out of the first round of the playoffs only three times in his career.
The furthest he has led the Blazers was to the Western Conference finals in 18-19.
Where they proceeded to get swept by the Golden State Warriors.
Despite saying many times that he wants to remain a Blazer, Stephen A. Smith thinks it’s time for him to go.
On First Take, Stephen A. said Lillard should have left Portland “years ago”.
.@stephenasmith says Damian Lillard should've left Portland years ago 😳
"Damian Lillard is one of the great, great guards this game has ever seen. … He's given this organization everything he's had. It hasn't worked. … He should've BEEN left that organization." pic.twitter.com/xWkG6i2rd4
— First Take (@FirstTake) March 21, 2023
The Blazers are once again having a bad season this year.
They have a record of 31-40 and are all but eliminated from postseason play.
Lillard has played in 57 of the 71 games this season and has had some incredible games.
But, it is not resulting in enough wins.
The chances Lillard ever wins a championship in Portland are slim to none.
They rarely land top free agents and do not seem willing to pay up for another star player.
So to Stephen A’s point, if Lillard is serious about winning, he has to leave the Trail Blazers.
The future Hall of Famer will be 33 years old next season.
He should be in win-now mode, but he will need to be on a different team to do so.
NEXT: Damian Lillard Speaks About His Place In NBA History
