As the February trade deadline nears, the Portland Trail Blazers reportedly have interest in DeAndre Jordan. With a 25-22 record, the Blazers currently have the seventh-best record in the Western Conference as they look to improve their roster.
According to Chris Haynes of ESPN, Damian Lillard met with team owner Paul Allen to discuss the direction of the Blazers:
Lillard, who turns 28 on July 15, requested the meeting in part to reaffirm his commitment to the only professional franchise he has ever suited up for, but also to gain assurances that the organization was just as devoted to expeditiously crafting a title-contending team, sources said.
Leading up to the meeting, Haynes shares Allen feared Lillard was going to ask for a trade:
In the weeks leading up to the meeting, Allen feared Lillard would request a trade, sources said, but a trade request was not made. The two-time All-Star made it clear, though, that he has championship aspirations and wanted to fulfill those lofty goals during the remaining years of his prime window.
After losing four starters prior to the 2015-16 NBA season, the Blazers exceeded expectations with Lillard and CJ McCollum leading the way. However, Portland has hovered near the bottom of the playoff picture with the fifth-highest payroll in the league, which makes improving the roster difficult.
As the 27-year-old is looking to win a championship in his prime years, it will be interesting to see how Allen and company approach the situation. While the two-time All-Star has not requested a trade, being a perennial .500 team with numerous long-term contracts until the 2019-20 season puts the franchise in a vulnerable position.
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