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Report: Damian Lillard Requests Trade From Trail Blazers

PORTLAND, OREGON - MARCH 16: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers drives to the basket on Steven Adams #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans as Zion Williamson #1 looks on during the second half at Moda Center on March 16, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. Blazers won 125-124. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

Multiple sources have reported that superstar guard Damian Lillard is seeking a trade from the Trail Blazers and that the request is imminent.

Despite Lillard’s unbelievable playoff performances, Portland still had an early exit from the playoffs. This series loss, apparently, was the most recent catalyst supposedly propelling Lillard to seek a trade.

Portland is in rough shape as an organization. Their head coach has departed. The owner, Jody Allen, plans to sell the team. There was a feeling that vetting Chauncey Billups for the head coaching position was cursory in nature. These are just a few of the issues plaguing the franchise, not to mention the relative lack of talent on the roster beyond Lillard and fellow guard CJ McCollum.

Lillard has spent all nine seasons of his NBA career with Portland. He was drafted sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft and has been a superstar since his introduction to the league. He has been an All-Star six times and has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds.

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The latest news out of Portland is that Lillard has provided Portland with four franchises that he would like to suit up for next season. Apparently, the superstar guard would like to be shipped off to either the New York Knicks, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers or the Miami Heat.

This story is developing and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

David Metzger