Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers. (Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
The Damian Lillard era of Portland Trail Blazers basketball may be coming to an end.
After nine seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers, All-NBA point guard Damian Lillard is expected to request a trade this offseason, according to Henry Abbott of True Hoop.
Lillard has spent his entire professional career in Portland after they used the No. 6 overall on the Weber State guard in the 2012 NBA Draft.
During those nine seasons, Lillard made six All-NBA squads and six Western Conference All-Star teams. The 2012-13 Rookie of the Year is playing for Team USA in Tokyo later this summer, but his days in the Pacific Northwest are expected to end.
NBA rumors: Where will Damian Lillard play next season?
Despite scoring 55 points in a first-round playoff game a few weeks ago, Lillard’s Trail Blazers still lost that one to the division rival Denver Nuggets. Factor in Portland bowing out in the first round in four of their last five playoff appearances, and you can understand Lillard’s frustration. Parting ways with long-time head coach Terry Stotts and hiring Chauncey Billups has not helped either.
Lillard just turned 31-years-old and is in the prime of his career. The Oakland native may want to play for his hometown team in Golden State, but other teams like the Dallas Mavericks, the New York Knicks and the Philadelphia 76ers would be very interested in his services. If it is the end of Dame Time in the Rose City, then we should expect a full-scale rebuild coming in Portland.
Lillard now becomes the most intriguing superstar that could switch NBA teams this offseason.