As Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported, Damian Lillard has formally requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard’s future with Portland has been a subject of dialogue for the reason that crew didn’t make the postseason. In current weeks, Lillard has been clear about his need to contend for a championship.
Lillard’s contract will doubtless make it troublesome to seek out prepared trade companions. The 32-year-old is ready to earn $45.6 million within the coming season, $48.7 million in 2024-25, $58.5 million in 2025-26 and $63.2 million in 2026-27.
Given Lillard’s age, there’s a reliable likelihood his expertise start to say no earlier than he turns into a free agent on the age of 37. Any crew buying and selling for Lillard might want to guarantee it could possibly provide the possibility to compete for a championship despite absorbing such a lofty cap hit. It’s additionally unclear what kind of provide the Trail Blazers will likely be prepared to entertain in any discussions surrounding their All-Star guard.
During his 58 regular-season video games this previous season, Lillard averaged 32.2 factors, 4.8 rebounds and seven.3 assists, taking pictures 46.3% from the sphere and 37.1% from three. With such high-level manufacturing, it is secure to imagine Lillard’s lofty contract will not be a stumbling block for groups on the fringes of rivalry.
Lillard will now change into essentially the most sought-after participant within the NBA. Teams such because the Miami Heat and New York Knicks will doubtless discover themselves rumored to be in play for Lillard. Both groups have the younger gamers to make an attractive provide to the Trail Blazers.
The most reasonable route for Portland is to enter a rebuild. The Western Conference franchise lately chosen Scoot Henderson with the third total decide within the 2022 NBA Draft and has younger taking pictures guard Anfernee Simons on the roster, too.
Trading Lillard will make sure the Trail Blazers can start stocking up on draft belongings and younger gamers. Portland getting into a rebuild has been on the playing cards for a number of years, and now, it is lastly turning into a actuality. However, the Trail Blazers inked Jerami Grant to a five-year, $160 million deal on June 30. Now, the franchise could have one other huge resolution to make. As Grant will doubtless be unwilling to stay on a rebuilding roster for his prime years.
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