Portland Trail Blazers receive: G/F Kevin Huerter, C Richaun Holmes, F Keegan Murray, G Davion Mitchell, 2025 First-Round Pick (Swap – SAC), 2026 First-Round Pick (SAC), 2027 First-Round Pick (Swap – SAC), 2028 First-Round Pick (SAC), 2030 First-Round Pick (SAC) 

Sacramento Kings receive: G Damian Lillard 

On the other hand, it may be that the championship-or-bust mentality is framing our perception of Lillard’s time in Portland. 

In fact, Lillard himself recently implied as much. In a tell-all interview, he said that he “didn’t like what the league was becoming”. Lillard was referring to “ring culture”. 

It is true that ring culture has a widespread effect on the NBA. In the modern league, players will generally opt to depart for a superteam rather than stick with the franchise that drafted them. For some fans, this means losing their favourite player has become much more likely than it used to be. 

NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Sacramento Kings & Portland Trail Blazers Updates

Sure. On the other hand, the Blazers aren’t just outside of the title hunt. They’re probably going to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive year. Surely some amount of team success matters in this league. 

Would Lillard have more success in Sacramento?