Jun 1, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) during the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets during game five in the first round of the 2021 NBA Playoffs. at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

It’s been a somewhat open secret that Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard has been frustrated in Portland. A fourth first round exit in the last five years combined with a reported disapproval of the hiring of new head coach Chauncey Billups, it has seemed more and more likely Lillard would be looking for a way out.

That time may have come as True Hoop’s Henry Abbott reported that “a source close to Lillard says that in the days to come, he plans to request a trade.” It should be noted that Lillard’s teammate, Jusef Nurkić, has been very much denying Abbott’s report and that The Oregonian has a source that says Abbott’s report is not true and that Lillard is not planning to request a trade. Lillard will be addressing those reports in his media availability with Team USA on Friday.

Nevertheless, whether Lillard plans to request a trade or not, it’s gotten social media reacting and wondering where the 31-year-old might possibly play next. 

[True Hoop/The Oregonian]

About Phillip Bupp

Producer/editor of the Awful Announcing Podcast and Short and to the Point. News editor for The Comeback and Awful Announcing. Highlight consultant for Major League Soccer as well as a freelance writer for hire. Opinions are my own but feel free to agree with them.

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