PORTLAND, OREGON – JUNE 03: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after his three point basket in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets during Round 1, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on June 03, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Damian Lillard had a curt response to a photo circulating on social media of him in a Utah Jazz jersey: ‘Horrible photoshop’.
A word of warning to fans posting photos of Damian Lillard in a jersey other than his Portland Trail Blazers or Team USA fits: brush up on your Photoshop skills first.
Lillard was not impressed with the graphic design effort from one fan who evidently wanted to see him in a Utah Jazz jersey alongside Donovan Mitchell.
Sorry, Lorenzo, perhaps it’s wishful thinking.
Lillard responds to fans’ photo of him in a Jazz jersey
Despite NBA Twitter’s insistence that he should force a trade, to public knowledge, Lillard has not asked to leave Portland, the only NBA home the six-time All-Star has ever known. Still, that has not stopped fans and pundits alike from speculating that the Blazers star might want out after another failed playoff run. The departure of long-time Portland head coach Terry Stotts only adds fuel to the fire.
Changes are afoot in Portland, but for what it’s worth, Lillard’s public stance hasn’t changed. He signed a contract extension in 2019 and remains on the Blazers’ payroll until summer 2025 when he could become an unrestricted free agent.
Surely, there are plenty of NBA general managers who would give an arm and a leg to have Lillard suit up for their team, especially after his historic individual performances in the playoffs. But, for now, at least, Lillard himself isn’t publicly entertaining the idea of putting on a different NBA jersey.