The Portland Trail Blazers took a big step toward the future in the 2023 NBA Draft.
Taking Scoot Henderson gives them a potential franchise player for years to come, but he also happens to play the same position as their current franchise player.
So, even though he believes Damian Lillard and Henderson could coexist on the court, Stephen A. Smith believes Lillard shouldn’t be up for that, stating that the Blazers have now given him the perfect excuse to demand a trade.
Smith says that Lillard should force his way out of the team now that they’re all set at point guard, as the Blazers won’t be a championship contender for the foreseeable future.
.@stephenasmith says Damian Lillard has "the perfect excuse" to move on from Portland after they drafted Scoot Henderson: pic.twitter.com/CazjFdVtY5
— First Take (@FirstTake) June 23, 2023
The ESPN analyst cited that Lillard has become a pillar of the community, and he knows he’s good for business because he makes people tune in, but from a basketball standpoint, the Blazers need to cut him loose and allow him to play somewhere he can actually compete for an NBA championship.
Smith — like countless fans and analysts — has been a lifelong advocate for Lillard leaving Rip City, and truth be told, it would be hard to blame Lillard for wanting out as well.
He’s talked a lot about being loyal, so maybe requesting a trade could hurt his credibility after all these years; we get that.
But at the end of the day, he’s already established himself as a franchise legend, a fan favorite — all over the league — and most definitely deserves an opportunity to become a champion.
NEXT: Scoot Henderson Gives The Trail Blazers An Intriguing Problem
