Damian Lillard and Portland, it’s almost over. According to various sources (TNT/Bleacher report, The Athletic/Stadium, ESPN, etc.), the 32-year-old All Star leader asked for a trade with the Blazers, his lifelong team, the one where he has played since his NBA debut, in 2012. No doubt tired of waiting to see the Oregon club actually play for the title, “Dame” will therefore leave, he who is under contract until 2027. He must receive $ 45.6 million next season, 48.8 in 2024-25 and 58.8 in 2025-26, before a $63.2 million player option for his last year.
Top scorer in the history of the Portland franchise with 19,376 points, ahead of Clyde Drexler (18,040) and his former teammate LaMarcus Aldridge (12,562), Lillard has only experienced the joys of the Conference finals once, in 2019. The Trail Blazers failed to even qualify for the playoffs at the end of the past season, which allowed them to get their hands on Scoot Henderson in third place in the Draft. The latter therefore represents the future.
Author of a season with 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists in 2022-23 (58 games), Damian Lillard posted averages of 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists decisive in career (769 matches). Seven times All Star, there will be no shortage of suitors. According to Shams Charania, the Californian point guard actually has a very specific idea about his future: he wants to join the Miami Heat, who were unfortunate runners-up to Denver a few weeks ago. If they have no obligation to accede to his demands, the leaders of Portland will no doubt do their best to accommodate him.