Damian Lillard has been candid about his future when asked. And at 32, while the Portland Trail Blazers star knows he has enough mileage left in him, he also knows how he wants to shape his future.
Speaking to Brian Custer on Showtime’s ‘The Last Stand’, the mercurial guard used the Los Angeles Lakers and the Russell Westbrook saga as a classic example to explain what he doesn’t want for him in the days to come.
“When Russ [Westbrook] went to the Lakers, it was ‘the Lakers’, you know what I mean?” Lillard said. “Then they got Russ coming off the bench like he’s not a Hall-of-Famer… Man, that’s Russell Westbrook. Like what?”
Damian Lillard brought up Russell Westbrook’s situation with the Lakers when talking about his own future:
“Then they got Russ coming off the bench like he’s not a Hall-of-Famer… Man, that’s Russell Westbrook. Like what?”
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Clearly, the Blazers superstar saw this as the ultimate disrespect to the former MVP, who will be a future Hall of Famer. While Westbrook’s sixth-man role was largely looked at as a ploy by head coach Darvin Ham to ensure he won’t clog the floor with LeBron James and Anthony Davis, there have been multiple sides to the story. However, it should be noted that there were reports of the guard embracing his role of coming off the bench for the team.
Westbrook was subsequently traded to the Utah Jazz as part of a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves, and he did later sign with the LA Clippers. The move to play alongside Kawhi Leonard and Paul George worked for Westbrook as he gave shades of his vintage self.
All said, Lillard knows that he is one of the legitimate superstars who could carry the side on his own at any given time, and he knows that he wouldn’t like to be disrespected. It could also be this same disrespect that may have changed Lillard’s mind about ever joining the Lakers.
Damian Lillard’s Future With The Blazers Depends On Their No. 3 Pick Plans
Lillard has been linked with multiple franchises ever since the Blazers failed to make the postseason, and despite his stance that he would prefer to stay put, his next move has been a constant topic of discussion, and much revolves around what the franchise does with their No. 3 pick.
According to ClutchPoints’ Erik Slater, “Haynes on Lillard’s feelings about Portland and the 3rd pick: Based off what he’s said, if they keep that pick, whether it’s Scoot or anybody else, I think a serious conversation will be had about potentially parting ways.”
Lillard has been solid in the 2022-23 season, averaging 32.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 7.3 APG for the Blazers this season.
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