Rivals believe Blazers had ulterior motive for Damian Lillard signing

The Portland Trail Blazers made a surprising splash recently by bringing back guard Damian Lillard, but the signing might not necessarily have had basketball reasons behind it.

John Hollinger of The Athletic wrote in his Monday notes column that rivals were suspicious of the Blazers’ decision to sign Lillard, as it does not necessarily make a great deal of sense from a basketball perspective. That led some to suggest that the Lillard addition, combined with the decision to draft Yang Hansen out of China in the NBA Draft, are moves being made to attract potential buyers more than anything else.

The Blazers announced in May that the team is for sale, which is where the theory begins. Some would argue that having a big name like Lillard and a young star from China may ultimately enhance the team’s value to potential buyers. The Lillard move, in particular, could cost the Blazers some cap space down the line, and he will not be able to help the team at all in the upcoming season.

Of course, the Blazers may have simply made these moves because they think they are good ones. Hansen, in particular, has already started to endear himself to fans. Lillard has his own reasons for wanting to be back with Portland as well.

Portland went 36-46 last season and play in one of the NBA’s smallest markets. There is some sense in thinking it might want to bolster its value ahead of any potential sale.