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Shortly after being named to the All-NBA First Team, Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has reportedly sought out another meeting with team owner Paul Allen to assess the future of the franchise.
The two have a strong relationship and have met before during the offseason, and most recently during the All-Star break to gauge the direction of the team.
“I hear that he is asking for another meeting,” an NBA front-office source told John Canzano of The Oregonian on Thursday.
Ever since the departure of LaMarcus Aldridge, Lillard has become the centerpiece of the franchise and will have plenty of voice with what changes take place over the offseason after being swept out of the first round of the playoffs by the New Orleans Pelicans.
Lillard was chosen above reigning MVP Russell Westbrook and two-time MVP Stephen Curry within the First Team, which would prove their utter failure in the playoffs that much more of a catastrophe.
According to Canzano, Lillard's agent in Aaron Goodwin might seize Thursday's All-NBA announcement as a power move to push that meeting with ownership into fruition.
But the meeting is unlikely to yield any immediate consequences, as the Blazers still boast a roster full of poor financial decisions, which have largely contributed to their demise over the years.
Portland doesn't necessarily lure very many free agents over the offseason, which makes trading the name of the game if the Blazers are to make changes coming into the 2018-19 season.
Backcourt mate C.J. McCollum has been rumored to be potentially moved, though general manager Neil Olshey has given no indication of willingness to part ways with the Lehigh product.
