When it comes to Damian Lillard’s future, the ball is in Portland’s court — because the superstar would prefer to stay.
While the rumors continue to swirl about the Heat turning their attention to trying to bring Lillard into the fold, it seems the seven-time NBA All-Star’s first choice remains the Trail Blazers.
During an appearance on Monday’s edition of “The Pat McAfee Show,” NBA insider Shams Charania pointed to Portland as the team that holds the cards for Lillard’s next move.
If the team can get better between now and Thursday’s NBA draft, it appears Lillard would be back in the Rose City next season.
“Right now it’s really up to Portland. Damian Lillard has really left it up to Portland,” Charania said. “He really wants to be there. He wants that team to get better, so they have the No. 3 pick in the draft. They have the No. 23 pick in the draft, they have Anfernee Simons.
“What can you go get in the marketplace to make this team better? And if nothing comes about, then I do think Damian Lillard will have to look very hard at his future in Portland. But if they do make the team better between now and Thursday, and on Thursday night, then I think you’ll see Damian Lillard be there.”
Lillard has not been shy about expressing his desire to remain with the Trail Blazers, but his appetite to go through any sort of rebuild is not there.
The Trail Blazers own the No. 3 pick in Thursday’s draft at Barclays Center and they have been shopping it around in order to try to add win-now talent.
NBA insider Marc Stein reported last week that Portland would be willing to package Simons and the third-overall pick in the right deal that would help them be a win-now team.
G-League Ignite guard Scoot Henderson and Alabama’s Brandon Miller are the two players prognosticators have predicted Portland would select at No. 3 if the team doesn’t trade the pick.
Both players come with plenty of talent, but would likely signal that Portland was going the rebuild route, which could then trigger Lillard to look to be traded.
The Heat, fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals, feel that they’re one big move away from a title and have reportedly honed in on Lillard.
The Nets have also found themselves in the discussion as a possible destination if Lillard opts to be traded.
Lillard was at Barclays Center for Game 3 of the Nets’ first-round series against the 76ers.
The longtime Trail Blazers point guard called Brooklyn and Miami desirable destinations if he were to leave Portland.