The Golden State Warriors aren't even 24 hours off from their season-ending loss at the hands of the Memphis Grizzlies. But somehow the rumor mill is already churning up some speculation, as Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard was caught on Twitter openly lobbying for Draymond Green.
The Blazers' franchise face retweeted a fan who sent a stern warning towards Warriors fans that aren't appreciating Green enough. It ended with a threat of sorts that Green could end up in Portland. Now obviously, fans swing these types of statements all the time, but the fact that Lillard is openly retweeting it is certainly telling.
Damian Lillard retweeted a post about Draymond Green joining the Blazers after the Warriors were eliminated by the Grizzlies 👀 pic.twitter.com/JCNbmGMUp1
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) May 22, 2021
But just like on the court, Blazers shooting guard CJ McCollum was in full support of his backcourt partner. He retweeted the same message, while making sure to quantify his lust for Green “respectfully.”
Respectfully 🤝🤣 https://t.co/ssLK2CsDvv
— CJ McCollum (@CJMcCollum) May 22, 2021
The Blazers' desire to acquire Green has been the worst kept secret, one that's intensified throughout the last few months and now has been lit on fire by the Lillard and McCollum. Back in January, The Athletic's Sam Amick reported that Lillard is not bashful in hoping to acquire the former Defensive Player of the Year:
“If we were handicapping Draymond trade destinations if the Warriors decided to blow it up…that’s the one. Damian and his group have for the last couple years been campaigning for that,” he said of the Blazers star.
The partnership would honestly be a perfect match for the Blazers. Green has been the perfect defensive complement to the offensive firepower brought by Warriors superstars Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Nothing's stopping him from doing the same with a similar star tandem in Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum.
The Blazers have hit their stride to end the season, but they have been one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. If they can manage to finagle Green away from the Warriors, they can definitely make some noise.