Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard wants to put the rumors to rest: he didn't demand a trade and it's unlikely he will ever do.
My stance ain’t changed. This is a result of a pandemic and lack of content lol. https://t.co/cPJp9wqZH3
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) July 4, 2020
In a recent article by Mark Berman of New York Post, it was reported that Lillard would prefer to be moved to the New York Knicks or Los Angeles Lakers if he ever asks for a trade. However, the report was only purely speculation.
For what it's worth, Lillard has gone on record that he wants to be with the Blazers his entire career. The five-time All-Star signed a massive four-year, $196 million supermax deal in the summer of 2019, which would keep him in Portland until the 2024-25 season. He will make $31.6 million next season before his extension kicks off in 2021-22.
Previous reports have claimed that Lillard grew frustrated with the direction of the franchise. However, he simply brushed them aside, staying firm in his stance that he intends to remain in Portland.
The Blazers have been in the center of the rumor mill for a while now, though. Aside from Lillard, his backcourt mate CJ McCollum has also found himself in the middle of trade rumors.
The Blazers made the Western Conference Finals in the 2019 playoffs, but they have fallen out of the top eight this 2019-20. While they still have an opportunity to make the postseason, going from being one of the top two finalists in the West last year to vying for the No.8 seed in the conference this season isn't a desirable direction for the franchise.
Much of Portland's struggles this season can be attributed to injuries and their roster turnover over the summer. Luckily for Blazers fans, Damian Lillard is as loyal as they come (though they need to do everything they can to keep their franchise player happy).
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