JJ Redick takes strong stance on All-Star guard's current situation
Damian Lillard's future with the Portland Trail Blazers is a hot topic right now. Lillard has shown remarkable patience with Portland's front office in recent years. However, that patience could be wearing thin.
Lillard has made no secret about his desire to contend for an NBA championship and his preference for doing so with the Trail Blazers.
As we head into the June 22 NBA Draft, Portland will have a difficult decision to make. Armed with the third overall pick, the Trail Blazers could potentially acquire either Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller. However, by using their draft pick, the Trail Blazers would essentially be writing Lillard's trade request for him.
Lillard has spent the last 11 years in Portland, playing 769 regular-season games, averaging 25.2 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.2 rebounds while shooting 43.9% from the field and 37.2% from three.
On June 14, JJ Redick praised Lillard's loyalty to the franchise that drafted him during an episode of ESPN's First Take.
"He's always seemed so content and at peace with where he's at right now," Redick said. "We should applaud Dame for wanting to win his way... I think we should be applauding how he's approached his career and his loyalty to Portland, that city, and that franchise."
Unfortunately, if the Trail Blazers use their upcoming draft pick rather than trading it for ready-made contributors, they will be disrespecting the sacrifices Lillard has made for the franchise.
At 32, Lillard's window for being the star player on a contending team is starting to close. On April 9, Sean Highkin quoted Lillard as saying, '"I don't have much of an appetite for building with guys two and three years away and not really go after it."
After waiting patiently for the Trail Blazers to build a contender around him, it would be stunning to see the franchise turn their back on their star player. However, the NBA is a business, and the Trail Blazers will likely do what they deem best for the future of their franchise.
With the New Orleans Pelicans rumored to be interested in trading into the top three slots in the draft, Portland owes it to Lillard to explore a potential deal. Otherwise, the NBA landscape could be about to shift if Portland decides to hit the rebuild button.
The only hope is that Portland is courteous enough to send Lillard to a team he can contend with and wants to play for. After all of his years of service, professionalism, and class, Lillard has earned that much, at least.
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