Getty Image / James Gilbert
Over the time since the NBA Finals came to an end, one of the biggest questions in the league has been what exactly will happen with Damian Lillard.
There are plenty of teams that have shown interest in him, but it hasn’t been a certainty that the Portland Trail Blazers would actually look to trade him.
Ahead of the draft, the rumor was that the Blazers were going to try to trade pick 3 to add a star and try to chase a ring before Damian Lillard’s window closes.
Over the past couple of days, that changed. The Blazers couldn’t find what they wanted for the pick and decided they would just use the pick.
The issue with that decision is that Lillard has said he doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild.
Last night the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Scoot Henderson.
It was the right pick for them to make, but that decision should mean it’s time for Lillard to demand a trade.
It’s what would be best for him and for the franchise.
With Henderson now joining the squad, the backcourt for the Blazers is very crowded.
The Blazers will now have Henderson, Lillard, and Anfernee Simons battling for playing time between 2 guard spots and also have to find playing time for Shaedon Sharpe and potentially Cam Reddish if they decide to bring him back.
What the Trail Blazers really have right now is a lot of potential. Those young players could one day form a core for a team that competes for a title. However, it’s definitely not a squad that’s ready right now and having Lillard there playing 35+ minutes per game could make it harder for that core to develop.
For Lillard, he is going to be on the decline before this roster is ready to make a run at a ring. It has some nice pieces right now, but he is the only star and it doesn’t look like another one is on the way.
The Blazers could deal him to a team like the Heat, who are ready to contend right now and can offer pieces for Portland to rebuild with in exchange for him.
Right now, the only reason for Lillard to stay is loyalty and Marcus Smart can tell him just how far loyalty gets you in this league.
Lillard has done enough for the Portland Trail Blazers and they have never gotten him the pieces to really chase a ring.
They owe it to him to let him go and try to get that ring somewhere else.
He just may need to demand that they do it.