The rumors about the departure Damian Lillard of the Trail blazers do not stop. The future of the Team USA point guard continues to be the topic of the moment during the championship fight of the NBA, which could be shaken if the 6-time All-Star guest pushes to leave Portland due to differences with the board’s project.
“I think we are at the time when everyone on the team has to look in the mirror to see why we are falling short. It is time to make decisions to be able to compete at the highest level in the NBA,” Lillard told Yahoo Sports.
However, now Lillard He is only focused on hanging the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, ensuring that he will not reveal his decision of wanting to stay or not in the Blazers while he is wearing the United States jersey.
There are two sides to the NBA: one that asserts that Lillard will ask to be traded to try to achieve a championship in the NBA and another that says that there is no team in the market that can support his huge salary and that his efforts will be in vain.
However, for Lillard this summer is decisive. It is no secret to anyone that the 6 times included in the All NBA teams is one of the best players in the league, but without a ring he will not be able to go down in history as one of the best in his position. It won’t be easy to get out of the Blazers, but the California-born must push for it to happen.
It’s true. The Trail Blazers are a team that have continually been in the postseason, but with the current roster they cannot compete for the title, something that Lillard, at 31, has in mind, given his statements.
Damian Lillard says trade request rumors are “not true” but Blazers fans still shouldn’t be confident he’s staying https://t.co/3qr0rBnj9g pic.twitter.com/cCf9CgsPxW
– For The Win (@ForTheWin) July 18, 2021
The main enemy of Lillard to get out of Portland is your contract. Remember that he signed an extension for 4 years and 176 million dollars on July 6, 2019. His average salary per year is $ 44,066,288 and in the coming campaign he will have an estimated salary of $ 39,344,900. “Give me” is worth it, but not just any team can alter its roster and project just by adding it immediately.
The solution for the team that wants it is to change star for star, contract for contract; for what to see it conform a “Big Three” like the one that the Brooklyn nets it is something utopian.
Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, Golden state warriors, Boston Celtics And till Los angeles lakers They have been mentioned among the teams most interested in achieving a change for Lillard, however, they are the last, despite their need to sign a point guard in the market, the ones that have it the most difficult due to the cost of their payroll. Only by getting rid of the salary of a figure like Anthony Davis, for example, could he give them a real chance of acquiring it.
Damian Lillard’s response to the trade rumors: pic.twitter.com/iB1sjfuFaN
– Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) July 16, 2021
Lillard will have many more options to be champion in the NBA With teams like the Sixers, Warriors and Celtics than with the Blazers, moving after nine seasons to Oregon is the right decision.
“Right now I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I’ve always wanted to wear the Trail Blazers uniform my entire career. But I think in time you want to win it all. I want to win it all in the Blazers uniform, but we all have to want it, “Lillard told Chris Haynes, making it clear that it’s time for him to win a ring.
Get out of the Blazers, Lillard; a player of your level, quality and values ​​deserves a better ending.