via Getty
PORTLAND, OR – MAY 5: Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers flexes after hitting a three while being fouled by Will Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter on Sunday, May 5, 2019. The Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers game four of their second round NBA playoff series at the Moda Center in Portland. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
via Getty
PORTLAND, OR – MAY 5: Damian Lillard (0) of the Portland Trail Blazers flexes after hitting a three while being fouled by Will Barton (5) of the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter on Sunday, May 5, 2019. The Denver Nuggets and the Portland Trail Blazers game four of their second round NBA playoff series at the Moda Center in Portland. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
It has been a busy off-season for many franchises. The Lakers have been building a ‘super team’ to fight for the championship. Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks have a top roster for the coming season as well. Many famous names have been involved in the deals during the off-season. Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard was on the radar for many franchises trying to rebuild their roster for the coming season. However, the 31-year-old point guard has reiterated that he is ‘not leaving Portland’.
The rumors of Damian Lillard leaving the Trail Blazers on a trade deal started since the team’s first-round exit at the hands of the Denver Nuggets last season. Portland has had some incoming as well, but they have shown no urgency during the off-season. Lillard’s departure would have been a massive blow to Portland’s playoff hopes in the coming season. But the star guard has said that he is not available at the moment.
USA Today via Reuters
Feb 26, 2021; Los Angeles, California, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) passes the ball under pressure from Los Angeles Lakers guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (1) and center Montrezl Harrell (15) in the first half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Damian Lillard says he has no plans on leaving ‘PDX’
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Damian Lillard hosted an Instagram Live on Tuesday night. During the live, someone asked Lillard that he’s leaving Portland or not. To this, Lillard said that he has no plans on leaving Portland Trail Blazers as of now.
“I’m not leaving PDX, not right now at least,” Damian Lillard said during Instagram Live.
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“I'm not leaving PDX…not right now at least”
– Damian Lillard
(h/t @AhnFireDigital )— NBA Central (@TheNBACentral) August 25, 2021
Portland fans have been assured that their star player isn’t leaving the city. However, the talking point now is the ‘not right now at least’ he added in the end. He will be a part of the Portland Trail Blazers team for the coming season. But the last part he added on Instagram live should keep Portland’s management and fans on their toes. Lillard still has three seasons left on his contract as of now.
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Damian Lillard has spent his entire professional career with Portland Trail Blazers. He had made it to six NBA All-Stars in the nine seasons he has been in the NBA. Lillard averaged 34.3 PPG in the playoffs last season and despite his valiant efforts, Portland lost in the first round itself.
ALSO READ- “That’s Far as Sh*t”: Damian Lillard Couldn’t Believe How Far His 2019 Winner Was
