Amid Damian Lillard’s trade saga, the NBA fans are left wondering what went wrong with the Portland Trail Blazers. At the beginning of 2022, Portland had one of the best duos in the league, with Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. CJ was the perfect ‘Robin’ to Lillard’s ‘Batman’. But everything changed after Portland traded Damian Lillard’s partner to the New Orleans Pelicans in February of last year.

Veteran ESPN reporter Marc Spears revealed how CJ McCollum’s departure from Portland affected Dame and led to him demanding a trade.

Portland Trail Blazers messed up the Damian Lillard situation

In an episode of the Sports By Northwest podcast hosted by Bill Oram, ESPN reporter Marc Spears talked about the duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum parting ways. The duo played together for 9 years. Dame and CJ were considered one of the most lethal backcourts in the NBA, with each being an elite shooter and playmaker. The two led the Portland Trail Blazers to the 2019 Western Conference Finals, the farthest the franchise has made in the playoffs since 2000. The duo was on the rise, but Portland did not think they would be able to win a championship together. They decided to let go of CJ in 2022.

“Trading CJ stole something out of his heart.” Said Marc Spears about Damian Lillard’s state after CJ’s trade. CJ’s trade to New Orleans in exchange for young talent and future draft picks did not sit well with the 7-time All-Star. Apart from parting ways with a long-time partner, it also hurt Damian Lillard that his team did not get any valuable assets in return. None of the players traded for CJ would have helped Dame win a championship in Portland. According to Spears, Dame wanted a stronger bench with veterans who could take charge when Dame and CJ were resting. Instead, Portland messed up the situation by trading one of the only two stars the franchise had. “That brought him disappointment more than anything.”

CJ’s trade might have instigated Damian Lillard’s trade thoughts

With the team going into rebuilding mode after trading CJ, Damian Lillard could see that Portland is not looking to win a championship immediately. While other teams like the Lakers and Phoenix were busy loading up in the off-season, Portland did not make any significant changes to their roster. “In the arms race of the West, they basically just had a pistol, when everybody else was having canons.” Added Marc Spears about the Blazers’ off-season moves.

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

Seeing the situation might have instigated the thoughts of the 33-year-old superstar as he requested a trade on July 1. Lillard is in his prime and does not want to waste more years in a franchise that will not help him win a championship. He instead wants to play alongside Jimmy Butler in Miami and possibly be the key piece that takes Miami over the hump.

Fans might never know when Damian Lillard started having second thoughts about playing in Portland. But CJ McCollum’s trade might have been the final nail in the coffin for Damian Lillard.

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