Damian Lillard has once again been eliminated in the first round this season, and it would make sense if he wanted some sort of change within the Portland Trail Blazers organization.
Jason Quick has recently stated that Damian Lillard is getting antsy, as any superstar would if they were eliminated in the early stages of the playoffs in consecutive years. There is reportedly a sense of urgency among his camp, where they feel as though the Trail Blazers should make a move.
Terry Stotts is out as coach. There are rumblings that Damian Lillard is getting antsy. The calls for Neil Olshey to make a franchise-changing move are louder than ever. And the franchise’s commitment to CJ McCollum is once again being questioned.
Lillard’s 31st birthday approaches in July, and after another season in which Lillard went above and beyond to elevate the Blazers, only to be let down in the playoffs by lack of adjustments and lack of a supporting cast, there is a palpable sense of urgency coming from Lillard’s camp. Lillard wants to win big, and he wants to do it now, and following the Blazers’ first-round exit at the hands of a shorthanded Denver roster, it wasn’t hard to see Lillard’s frustration.
It makes sense that Damian Lillard would be disappointed with the result from this season, as the Portland Trail Blazers lost to a team who was missing key players, even if they did have to face the MVP in Nikola Jokic. To make improvements, the Portland Trail Blazers could potentially make some trades, and Quick offered a few options for a CJ McCollum trade.
Olshey has acknowledged that over the years, any move of note — a trade or free-agent signing — has been first run by Lillard to receive his endorsement. If Lillard thinks Simmons could work, then that’s the type of move that gives the Blazers a chance to make an instant jump because it addresses their biggest weakness: defense. I’ve also heard Boston could be interested in a player like McCollum, and I’ve always thought Marcus Smart and his defense would be a great pairing in Portland (obviously it would take more to make salaries match, but Smart would be a great start).
It remains to be seen if the Portland Trail Blazers do end up making a blockbuster trade, but it looks as though that is certainly a direction the franchise could take. Ben Simmons or Marcus Smart would certainly help their defense. Hopefully, we are able to see Damian Lillard compete for a ring this season, and that can be a reality in Portland if they are able to improve the roster.
