Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Trail Blazers' draft plans could spell end to Damian Lillard era

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 6/20/23

Seemingly against Damian Lillard's best wishes, the Portland Trail Blazers "are planning on keeping" the No. 3 overall pick in Thursday's NBA Draft.

Sources tell ESPN's Jonathan Givony that the Trail Blazers "are planning on keeping the pick and adding the type of talent to the roster they would be hard pressed to bring to Portland if not through the draft."

With Victor Wembanyama penciled in as the top selection on Thursday night, Alabama forward Brandon Miller and former five-star guard Scoot Henderson are the likeliest selections for the Trail Blazers.

As for Lillard, the All-Star guard remains adamant about Portland packaging the No. 3 pick in a win-now move to acquire veteran help. Appearing Tuesday on ESPN's Get Up, NBA insider Brian Windhorst confirmed he checked in to see whether Lillard had a change of heart on the situation and was told "unequivocally, 'No.'"

@WindhorstESPN says Damian Lillard could ask out of Portland if they don't trade No. 3 pick:

"Dame does not want a youth movement [and] wants to play with veterans." pic.twitter.com/41iQzvip1g
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 20, 2023

With Lillard steadfast on Portland building a contender and the organization preferring to walk a tightrope between being competitive and building for the future, the two could be destined for a divorce.

One possible landing spot for Lillard could be South Beach, where the Heat are believed to be honing in on Lillard after being beaten out by the Suns in the Bradley Beal sweepstakes. According to Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes, Miami has a "genuine belief" that Lillard could seek a change of scenery this offseason.

Miami’s focus is Portland superstar Damian Lillard with the genuine belief this could be the offseason the veteran guard seeks a change of scenery, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 18, 2023

Lillard has been loyal to a fault during his 11-year career in Portland. Yet with the Trail Blazers riding a two-year playoff drought and Lillard set to turn 33 years old next month, it may be best for both parties to go their separate ways.

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