Blazers star Damian Lillard could request a trade from Portland due to the team’s inability to build a contending roster and recent backlash involving the hiring of Chauncey Billups as head coach, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports.
Lillard, who’s spent every season of his career with Portland since being drafted sixth in 2012, put forth one of his best campaigns in 2020-21. He averaged 28.8 points, 7.5 assists and 35.8 minutes in 67 contests, raising those averages to 34.3 points, 10.2 assists and 41.3 minutes during six playoff outings.
The Blazers ultimately lost to the Nuggets in a six-game first-round series, immediately raising questions about Lillard’s future. Those questions have only intensified with the Yahoo report, which mentions Lillard has largely stayed in Portland due to his strong connection with the fans. Some Portland fans have pushed against the hiring of Billups due to sexual assault allegations stemming from 1997.
“Really? I was asked what coaches I like of the names I “heard” and I named them. Sorry I wasn’t aware of their history I didn’t read the news when I was 7/8yrs old,” Lillard tweeted in response to a fan on Saturday. “I don’t support Those things … but if this the route y’all wana come at me… say less.”
Portland is expected to announce the hiring of Billups on Tuesday, Haynes reports. Billups, a 17-year veteran, is currently in his first season of coaching as an assistant under Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue. As relayed previously, Lillard listed Billups and now-Mavericks coach Jason Kidd as two preferred names shortly after the Blazers fired Terry Stotts.
A six-time All-Star, Lillard would command interest from several teams across the league if he and Portland separate. Contenders such as the Sixers, Heat and Lakers were among the clubs that expressed interest in acquiring a lead ball-handler this season, whether it was James Harden, Kyle Lowry or another player before the deadline.
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