After spending 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard requested a trade from the organization on July 1. From the beginning of his career, Lillard became the pillar of the Trail Blazers franchise. With his clutch performances, Dame gave Portland fans many memorable moments. But Lillard?s time in Portland has not translated to them winning a championship. Part of it is because of the organization?s inability to surround Lillard with the right pieces to win in the playoffs.

At 33 years old, Lillard decided it was time to move on. He requested to be traded to the Miami Heat to play alongside Jimmy Butler. Usually, when a player demands a trade, there is a lot of animosity between the city and the player because of the entire process. But veteran ESPN reporter Marc Spears thinks Damian Lillard will have the Kobe Bryant effect on Portland.

Damian Lillard will be Portland?s Kobe Bryant

Marc Spears got a chance to have a one-on-one interaction with the Portland Trail Blazers star amid his trade saga. Later, Spears joined the Sports by Northwest podcast hosted by Bill Oram, where he discussed Damian?s Portland situation in detail. Marc Spears discussed how Portland should handle the situation if Lillard parted ways with the organization. ?I do see a time when he is retired, with his kids sitting courtside the same way you saw Kobe Bryant sitting courtside with Gigi.? Spears said, pointing out what Dame has meant for the Portland Trail Blazers. Kobe was a Lakers Legend, spending his entire career with the team. Even after retirement, Kobe got his flowers every time he stepped into the Lakers Arena. Even though Dame did not win a ring in Portland, he has had the same impact on the city as Kobe had on LA.

The 7-time All-Star gave his all to the organization. His iconic Buzzer Beater against the Houston Rockets to get Portland their first playoff series win in 14 years, and his insane shot over Paul George to eliminate the OKC from the playoffs will always be attached to Trail Blazers? history. Dame revealed in the interview with Marc Spears that he loves Portland and plans to live there after retirement.

NBA Superstars parting ways with a team is not always pretty

The NBA has a history of bad breakups in terms of players requesting a trade from their team. Marc Spears pointed out how Minnesota handled the situation when Kevin Garnett left the Timberwolves. The Denver Nuggets also refused to pay tribute to Carmelo Anthony when he returned to the city for the first time after jumping ship to the New York Knicks. Things can get ugly when players decide to take control and leave an organization.

Read More: ?Tried to Get in [Damian Lillard?s] Ear?: $163,000,300 Rich NBA Star Made An Outrageous Attempt to Lure Portland Star to Miami?s Arch-rivals,?per?NBA?Insider

Hopefully, that will not be the case with Damian Lillard and Portland.

Damian Lillard and Portland have had a healthy relationship for 11 years. In case Dame?s trade gets finalized, the Portland Trail Blazers will welcome their franchise player with open arms when he makes his return to the city in a different uniform.

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