So, Damian Lillard has already outright denied all the rumors regarding his trade request. Just to be clear, he has not yet demanded an exit from Portland and remains committed to the team for the foreseeable future.
Still, he didn’t exactly eliminate the possibility that his mind might be changed, leaving the door slightly open for rumor and speculation.
Amid the noise, one interesting report has surfaced, possibly indicating what kind of player the Blazers will target this offseason.
Check out this segment in a recent article by TrueHoop’s Henry Abbott:
“Watching Giannis win the Finals, and playing on Team USA with Bam Adebayo, sources say Damian Lillard is as excited as ever about the idea of playing with a super-athletic and mobile big man.”
“Watching Giannis win the Finals, and playing on Team USA with Bam Adebayo, sources say Damian Lillard is as excited as ever about the idea of playing with a super-athletic and mobile big man.”
(via @TrueHoop) pic.twitter.com/iob8UYia1E
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 27, 2021
This is the same source that (incorrectly) claimed Lillard had already asked for a trade earlier this month, so take this report with a grain of salt.
Still, where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and it’s not hard to imagine Dame growing infatuated with the idea of playing for a Giannis-style big man.
The Greek Freak dominated with his strength and mobility instead of his shooting, which seems — at least on paper — to be an ideal pairing next to Dame, who is known for his extraordinary shooting and shot-making.
But what can the Blazers do to satisfy Dame’s wishes?
Blazers GM Neil Olshey will have to make some kind of trade, which will likely cost them CJ McCollum, Jusuf Nurkic, or even both.
But if it means they can grab a guy like Pascal Siakam, Domantas Sabonis, or Bam Adebayo, it could make all the difference in the world.
Ultimately, we will just have to wait and see. While their options remain somewhat limited, a big move is inevitable for Portland, especially considering the circumstances.
