Damian Lillard said on the “It Is What It Is” show that he would never leave the Portland Trail Blazers for the Golden State Warriors. Lillard, who has spent his entire NBA career with the Blazers, has requested a trade from Portland. However, the All-Star will never play for the Warriors.
Lillard was born and raised in Oakland, California. He’s friends with Warriors stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green. It would have been absurd to see Lillard play in Golden State next to Curry, Thompson and Green, as the Dubs would have been nearly unstoppable on offense.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
However, Lillard wants the Blazers to trade him to the Miami Heat. Meanwhile, the Warriors will have to settle for Chris Paul, who is expected to start alongside Curry, Thompson, Green and Andrew Wiggins. CP3 averaged 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 8.9 assists last season for the Phoenix Suns while shooting 44.0% from the field, 37.5% from beyond the arc and 83.1% from the free-throw line. He is 38 years old.
Lillard still wants the Blazers to trade him to the Heat despite the NBA’s initiative to warn Lillard and his agent that any further comments made “suggesting Lillard will not fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade” will be subject to discipline, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Lillard is close friends with Heat center Bam Adebayo and believes he can win an NBA championship in Miami playing alongside Jimmy Butler and Adebayo. The Heat have been working on a trade package for Lillard of expiring contracts, three to four first-round picks and one of the team’s younger players, with Tyler Herro going to a third team. The deal could potentially also involve second-rounders and draft pick swaps.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season for the Blazers. He will make $46.6 million next season. The future Hall of Famer signed a two-year, $121.8 million extension with Portland in July 2022.
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