Damian Lillard On Trade Demand: “It’s Not True”
Jul 16, 2021, 3:53 PM | Updated: 3:56 pm
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard is denying a report that he plans to request a trade in the coming days.
Early Friday True Hoop’s Henry Abbott reported that Lillard planned to inform the Blazers of his desire to leave the franchise in the coming days as he competes with Team USA before the Tokyo Olympics.
However, after practice Friday, Lillard denied the report when pressed on the issue.
“I woke up to those reports,’’ Lillard said. “It’s not true. I said the last time I spoke to you guys, a lot of things are being said that’s not coming from me.”
Damian Lillard may soon request a trade from the @trailblazers.
What would a blockbuster trade of that magnitude look like, and how could the @utahjazz get involved?#takenote https://t.co/TL4IKncOK1
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) July 16, 2021
Lillard has spent nine seasons with Portland since being drafted with the sixth overall pick in 2012. The former Weber State product has averaged 24.7 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.2 rebounds while being named to six All-NBA teams.
Though the superstar denied the report, he wasn’t willing to commit to any long terms plans regarding his future.
“It’s not true,” Lillard said. “I also said I haven’t made any firm decision on what my future will be. There’s no need for anybody else to speak for me.”
Despite Lillard’s brilliance, the Blazers have seen consecutive disappointing postseason finishes after making it to the Western Conference Finals in 2019.
In 2020, the Blazers were eliminated by the Los Angeles Lakers in five games after qualifying for the eighth seed in the Western Conference Playoffs.
A @YahooSports conversation with Damian Lillard from Las Vegas on Team USA’s early struggles and where he currently stands with the Portland Trail Blazers. https://t.co/VT9eTHLIvr
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 16, 2021
This season Portland was ousted from the playoffs in the first round by the shorthanded Denver Nuggets, despite outings of 55 points and 42 points in two of the team’s four losses.
“Everybody in this organization must look in the mirror because we’ve constantly come up short,” Lillard told Yahoo Sports. “We have to look in the mirror and say I have to be better because whatever it is we’re doing is not working.”
