How Damian Lillard Sparked Major Lakers Trade Rumors

Lillard has played all 11 of his NBA seasons with the Blazers, who selected him with the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft out of Weber State. Dame and the Lakers have been connected in the past. LeBron James and Anthony Davis tried to recruit the future Hall of Famer to come to Los Angeles in 2021, according to Logan Murdock of The Ringer.

Lillard considered the offer before ultimately deciding to stay with the Blazers. Meanwhile, the Lakers acquired Russell Westbrook from the Washington Wizards.

“He (LeBron) was just like, ‘Pull up to the house,’” Lillard told Murdock. “And I’m like, sh*t, I’m out here. Tomorrow is the only day I ain’t got nothing planned out. I can pull up for a little bit. … We just chopped it up just about the possibilities.”

Lillard signed a four-year, $176 million extension with Portland in July 2019. The All-NBA guard then agreed to a two-year, $121.8 million extension in July 2022. The 32-year-old told Murdock in 2022 that he wants to win and retire with the Blazers.

“I want to win as a Trail Blazer,” Lillard told Murdock. “I want to win a championship where I am. I don’t think I would feel the same joy and happiness if I did it elsewhere. I would be happy, no doubt. Like winning a chip, you get that experience. But I know how I want it.”

The Lakers would be title contenders with Lillard, LeBron, and Davis leading the way. However, it’s doubtful Los Angeles will acquire Lillard this summer.