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Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard shoots down Lakers trade rumors?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 8/12/21

Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard is in the (very) early days of his supermax extension but is routinely mentioned as a potential trade candidate and has been linked with clubs such as the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Sacramento Kings, and New York Knicks, among others, in rumors and printed wish lists.

On Thursday, it appeared Lillard shut down any idea that he could join the Los Angeles Lakers before or during the 2021-22 NBA season:

Bet a Million. https://t.co/CloZY3Iq4c
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) August 12, 2021

The Lakers likely couldn't acquire Lillard anytime soon after they added Russell Westbrook, Carmelo Anthony, Malik Monk, Trevor Ariza, Dwight Howard, and Kent Bazemore this summer. Lillard, meanwhile, reportedly is not considering requesting a trade before the fall, but he recently raised eyes with a cryptic Instagram post: