Trail Blazers beat writer says Portland is on the ‘same page’ as Damian Lillard this summer

May 18, 2023, 12:23 PM | Updated: 4:00 pm

Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers is fouled by De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento King...

PORTLAND, OREGON - OCTOBER 20: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers is fouled by De'Aaron Fox #5 of the Sacramento Kings during the second quarter at Moda Center on October 20, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

NBA writer for The Portland Tribune, Austin White, joined Kyle Draper and Kayte Christensen Thursday to discuss the Portland Trail Blazers, where they go with the No.3 overall draft pick, and if now is the time to trade Damian Lillard and fully rebuild.

“I don’t know if it’s pressure but I think they’re definitely on the same page [as Lillard] is kind of what I’m hearing,” White said on the show. “They want to do this for Dame just as badly as he wants to do this for Portland. They want to do right by a guy who’s been so loyal, who is going to have his jersey retired someday, probably a statue outside if all goes the right way. But yeah, this feels mutual to me at this point.  Both sides [are] really trying to find a way to pull this off.”

Additional topics discussed include:

  • What direction do the Portland Trail Blazers go with the 3rd overall pick?
  • Will Portland finally trade Damian Lillard?
  • Could Dame take a contender over the hump next season?
  • Does Portland still have a championship window?
  • Is Jerami Grant a target for Sacramento?

Click here to watch and listen to the full interview with Austin White.

YouTube video

 

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