NFL
By: Chris Jordan
What’s next for the Portland Trailblazers superstar Damian Lillard? Lillard has made a name for himself as one of the best players in the NBA.
Lillard has been the face of the Portland Trailblazers for some years now. However, despite Lillard’s success, he has yet to reach the NBA finals or even be a serious title contender in the Western Conference.
In the Damian Lillard area, the Trail Blazers have only made the Western Conference finals one time while getting eliminated out the first round five times.
In the past two seasons, the Trailblazers have lost in the first round twice.
With Lillard 31 years old and entering his 10th season. Time is ticking on his chance of winning a championship.
Days after the Trail Blazers were eliminated from the playoffs. Lillard posted a picture of himself walking through the Moda Center hallways with a quote from Rap Legend Nipsey Hussle: ” How long should I stay dedicated? How long til opportunity meets preparation?”
Lillard has to be frustrated with the Trail Blazers organization because they have yet to give him a legit superstar to play next to him. After all, CJ McCollum is not the answer.
McCollum is a very talented player but he’s not a legit robin on a championship team.
McCollum is too inconsistent and being in the Western Conference with teams such as the Lakers, Clippers, Suns, Nuggets, Mavericks, and with the Warriors getting Klay Thompson back the west will be very competitive.
If Lillard decides to stay in Portland for another year or longer. The possibility of him reaching a championship and winning a championship would be difficult to do without having a superstar to play alongside him.
Lillard was drafted by the Trailblazers in the 2012 NBA draft, and he has done more than enough for the Trailblazers organization in the past nine seasons.
Lillard became the fourth TrailBlazer in franchise history to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors and one of two to ever finish a season with 1,500 points and 500 assists ( the other being Clyde Drexler in 1986-87 and 1991-92).
Lillard has scored 16,815 points in his career making him second in all-time points behind Clyde Drexler.
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Lillard has played in multiple all-star games while also having to be one of the most clutch players in the game.
This season along Lillard has scored more clutch points than any other player. He’s scored 124 points. Lillard calls himself Dame time for a reason and he lives up to his name since he entered the NBA.
When you look at all the great point guards such as Magic Johnson, Stephen Curry, Oscar Robinson, and Isaiah Thomas. They all have something in common with each other and that’s a championship.
Does Lillard want to be remembered as a champion or someone who would always fall short of reaching his goal?
Throughout the history of basketball, there are so many players who haven’t won a championship or even had the chance of playing for a championship. Seeing a talented player like Lillard makes you wonder how will it be before he’s had enough of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Lillard has not made a final decision on what he wants to do regarding his future with the Portland Trail Blazers.
However, if Lillard did decide to leave Portland. What team will be a great fit for him and the best situation for him?
The best three best situations for Lillard would be the Golden State Warriors, Philadelphia 76ers, and the Los Angles Lakers.
The Warriors have the best shooting backcourt in the NBA which is Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. They also have Draymond Green and their championship experience. Golden State also has the assets to get Lillard.
The Warriors could trade Andrew Wiggins, James Wisemen, Eric Paschall, and the 7th and 14th pick in the lottery.
The 76ers have Joel Embiid who is one of the most dominant players in the NBA and there in the Eastern Conference.
The 76ers could trade Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, and a first-round draft pick to get Lillard because the 76ers need better perimeter shooting. This playoff run was a bad ending for the 76ers because Ben Simmons can’t make shots and he’s a horrible free throw shooter. Lillard with Embiid would be a great fit.
The Los Angles Lakers have LeBron James and he has shown no sign of slowing down when he’s healthy and a franchise that has a history of winning championships.
However, if the Lakers did trade for Lillard they would have to trade Anthony Davis who is one of the best players in the NBA.
Will Lillard choose to stay in Portland or go elsewhere?
