Damian Lillard was interested in Spurs move before Bucks trade

There's been a lot of talk about a potential Victor Wembanyama-Trae Young tandem, but did the Spurs miss out on an opportunity to pair up Damian Lillard with their rookie phenom?

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Lillard was interested in playing with Wembanyama shortly before he was traded to the Bucks last September. 

Although multiple reports suggested that the Miami Heat were Lillard's preferred destination, Shelburne revealed on Monday's "NBA Today" on ESPN that the All-Star guard was open to joining San Antonio to play for head coach Gregg Popovich.

"Damian Lillard, when he asked for a trade from Portland, had an interest in going to the Spurs," Shelburne said. "There was a fascination with Wemby even though he wasn't in the league yet. There was a fascination with him, and there was a respect for Gregg Popovich. There wasn't any traction on trading for Dame because Victor is so young; they have a young team, and they wanted to see that develop."

Shelburne believes that since Wembanyama "is here" and looks less like an NBA project and more resembling a finished product, the Spurs front office is pressured to make roster upgrades quickly. 

"I don't know how patient he's going to be," Shelburne said of the 7-footer's mindset. "I don't think he wants to sit here and be at the bottom of the lottery standings."

The Spurs (13-48), who own the third-worst record in the league, could potentially have two top-10 picks in the upcoming NBA Draft — one of their own and the Hornets' pick (protected 1-6) owed to them as part of the Jakob Poeltl trade from last year. However, many scouts predict this year's draft to be one of the weakest in recent memory as opposed to the 2025 class headlined by teenage prodigy Cooper Flagg.

Will the Spurs go star-hunting this summer to give Wembanyama a shot to make the playoffs next year? That could be one of the biggest storylines as we head into the offseason.