One of the most disappointing seasons in Portland Trail Blazers history didn't change much for Damian Lillard. Poised to return in 2022-23 healthier than he's been in years after going under the knife to address longstanding pain in his midsection, Lillard remains fully committed to the team he threatened to leave on multiple occasions last summer.
“I have no plans of not being a Portland Trail Blazer,” he told Jabari Young of CNBC. “I want to be here, and I think they want me here.”
Lillard has been singing that tune since August of last year. Every time he's been asked about his future in the interim, he's doubled, tripled and quadrupled down on remaining with the Blazers long-term, even after the dismissal of former general manager Neil Olshey and in wake of a trade deadline that saw C.J. McCollum and other impact players shipped out to increase flexibility.
It's a testament to the culture rookie head coach Chauncey Billups is building that Lillard wants to stay in Rip City despite the reality he'd be likelier to win a championship elsewhere. But the Blazers have also finally answered the pointed calls for change he started making just less than a year ago, entering the offseason with real room for improvement.
Lillard is on record as supporting the front office's plans for a rapid summer rebuild, even going so far as to offer to recruit players to Portland. Much of his confidence going forward, though, surely stems from the optimism provided by his surgery, successful rehabilitation and time away from the game to recalibrate in general.
Lillard has already said he expects to reach or even exceed his established peak next season at age 32. Why? The sense that he's been re-born both physically and mentally since last taking the floor on New Year's Eve.
“I feel born again – health-wise and mentally,” Lillard told Young.
There's no guarantee Portland is able to make the necessary moves to compete toward the top of the Western Conference come 2022-23. The absence of Paul George for Friday's do-or-die play-in game between the LA Clippers and New Orleans Pelicans, for instance, could rob the Blazers of a crucial second lottery pick they'd reportedly planned to offer the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Jerami Grant.
No matter who Portland adds in the offseason, though, its hopes of contention will hinge more on Lillard than anyone else—and all signs continue suggesting he'll be up for the challenge.
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