The Portland Trail Blazers concluded a forgettable season in 2023. The team stood 13th in the Western Conference League with a record of 33 wins and 49 losses. Now the team is on the verge of trading their star player Damian Lillard as part of reconstruction and preparation for the next season. Amidst an uncertain future for Lillard at Portland, they are looking to bring in young talent from the Phoenix Suns.

Lillard has been with the team since 2012 after he was drafted as the 6th pick. Although he has had a decent career with the Trail Blazers, as per several reports, his time with his first team might soon be over. On the other hand, the Portland team is adamant about bringing in the 24-year-old star from the Suns.

Is Damian Lillard’s time with the Blazers over?

The speculations around Lillard’s presence in the Portland camp are a common theme every year. Although the rumors from previous years remained rumors, this year, the buzz is bigger than ever. There are several teams as the contender to bring in the 32-year-old. However, the Miami Heat and the Denver Nuggets are the strongest prospects. The Heat has an edge over the Nuggets because of the recent comment from Lillard himself regarding his preference. When asked about where he would prefer to take his career in the Showtime Sports interview, he said, “Miami is the obvious one. Bam [Adebayo] is my dog for real.”

Whereas, the Blazers are already looking out for a solid replacement for the 7x NBA All-Star. As per reports, the Portland franchise is looking to bring in Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns to their camp. Ayton is a 24-year-old center for the Suns and is touted to be one of the finest young talents in the league. In fact, he was drafted in the NBA by the Suns as a first overall pick in the first round. The rumor about Ayton’s name being linked to the Blazers was further co-signed by Jake Fisher, senior NBA reporter for Yahoo Sports.

Although there is yet to be an official confirmation on it, signing a 24-year-old talent might be a good move for the Blazers.

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With time we will get to know the validity of this news, but as of now, with Lillard’s trade looking almost certain, Ayton may be a good addition for the team.

What are your thoughts on these trade rumors? Tell us in the comments below.

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