Damian Lillard: For me, my heart is Portland Trail Blazer. I want to win it. I know that I have a plan that’s going to put me on my best level when I come back to play. And I want our team to fit that. I’m a huge fan of Chauncey Billups. I love Chauncey, we’ve got a great relationship and I think he’ll continue to grow into the head coach that he wants to be. And I’m a Joe Cronin fan. In his position I think it takes being bold and doing bold things, doing what you see fit and standing on it. He’s told me that our plan is to build a winning team, not to rebuild. Because we had a prior relationship to him becoming GM, I trust his word.
Source: Casey Holdahl @ NBA.com
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Duvalier Johnson @DuvalierJohnson
Knew Portland would lose tonight with a big trade and not having Lillard, but not like this. pic.twitter.com/0RiYF1zrLY – 1:28 AM
Knew Portland would lose tonight with a big trade and not having Lillard, but not like this. pic.twitter.com/0RiYF1zrLY – 1:28 AM
David Locke @DLocke09
TRADE INSTANT REACTION – CJ McCollum to the Pelicans
Some interesting comments from the Local Experts @Jake Madison of @lockedonpels and @Mike Richman of @LockedOnBlazers
“Damian was involved in this. This happened with Dame’s approval”
youtu.be/SwWHrWNDmqw via @YouTube – 11:37 PM
TRADE INSTANT REACTION – CJ McCollum to the Pelicans
Some interesting comments from the Local Experts @Jake Madison of @lockedonpels and @Mike Richman of @LockedOnBlazers
“Damian was involved in this. This happened with Dame’s approval”
youtu.be/SwWHrWNDmqw via @YouTube – 11:37 PM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
The Lakers just gave up 78 in the first half at home, Russ is struggling again and “Dame to the Lakers” is trending. Let me guess… THT, Nunn and a first? pic.twitter.com/fP9qpqcvcF – 11:08 PM
The Lakers just gave up 78 in the first half at home, Russ is struggling again and “Dame to the Lakers” is trending. Let me guess… THT, Nunn and a first? pic.twitter.com/fP9qpqcvcF – 11:08 PM
David MacKay @DavidMacKayNBA
It’s kind of humorous how many of Olshey’s final moves that were supposed to be the support Lillard needed have now been undone.
Snell? Gone. Zeller? Gone. Nance? Gone. Even Powell and Covington? Gone.
Almost like Olshey’s vision for contention was a complete load. – 9:13 PM
It’s kind of humorous how many of Olshey’s final moves that were supposed to be the support Lillard needed have now been undone.
Snell? Gone. Zeller? Gone. Nance? Gone. Even Powell and Covington? Gone.
Almost like Olshey’s vision for contention was a complete load. – 9:13 PM
Ric Bucher @RicBucher
Damian Lillard following Chris Paul model, on board with Portland rebuild foxsports.com/stories/nba/da… – 5:46 PM
Damian Lillard following Chris Paul model, on board with Portland rebuild foxsports.com/stories/nba/da… – 5:46 PM
Bob Garcia @bgarciaivsports
The #Blazers roster rebuild efforts after the CJ McCollum trade are crushing the #Lakers hopes of landing Damian Lillard.
#LakeShow
sportscasting.com/lakers-dream-l… – 4:13 PM
The #Blazers roster rebuild efforts after the CJ McCollum trade are crushing the #Lakers hopes of landing Damian Lillard.
#LakeShow
sportscasting.com/lakers-dream-l… – 4:13 PM
Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
This is now Anfernee Simons’ team.
Well, until Damian Lillard returns. – 3:20 PM
This is now Anfernee Simons’ team.
Well, until Damian Lillard returns. – 3:20 PM
Sean Highkin @highkin
Damian Lillard two months ago when I asked him about fan/media expressing of “concern” that he should ask out: “They don’t know my life. I go out here and I answer these questions over and over again, and somehow still it’s people skeptical of what I say.” bleacherreport.com/articles/10020… – 3:16 PM
Damian Lillard two months ago when I asked him about fan/media expressing of “concern” that he should ask out: “They don’t know my life. I go out here and I answer these questions over and over again, and somehow still it’s people skeptical of what I say.” bleacherreport.com/articles/10020… – 3:16 PM
Brad Botkin @bradbotkincbs
Blazers just went draft day trading a bunch of stuff to get right back to where they started, if they’re lucky. Problem is, this isn’t a movie. I would bet good money Lillard is gone within a year – 3:04 PM
Blazers just went draft day trading a bunch of stuff to get right back to where they started, if they’re lucky. Problem is, this isn’t a movie. I would bet good money Lillard is gone within a year – 3:04 PM
Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
1) Be clear on this: Even if the Blazers fail to rebuild this thing, the bottom line is that they had to take advantage of this opportunity to blow it up.
They were NEVER going to win a title with Lillard/CJ as their best 2 players. I’ve been saying that since Talkin’ Ball 2016 pic.twitter.com/KW94Ld9UMB – 2:50 PM
1) Be clear on this: Even if the Blazers fail to rebuild this thing, the bottom line is that they had to take advantage of this opportunity to blow it up.
They were NEVER going to win a title with Lillard/CJ as their best 2 players. I’ve been saying that since Talkin’ Ball 2016 pic.twitter.com/KW94Ld9UMB – 2:50 PM
Bob Garcia @bgarciaivsports
With the #Blazers going into full rebuild mode, here are five players the franchise could pursue to pair alongside Damian Lillard.
#RipCity #NBA
sportscasting.com/5-players-port… – 2:22 PM
With the #Blazers going into full rebuild mode, here are five players the franchise could pursue to pair alongside Damian Lillard.
#RipCity #NBA
sportscasting.com/5-players-port… – 2:22 PM
Emiliano Carchia @Sportando
Blazers plan to reshape roster around Damian Lillard sportando.basketball/en/blazers-pla… – 1:46 PM
Blazers plan to reshape roster around Damian Lillard sportando.basketball/en/blazers-pla… – 1:46 PM
Tas Melas @TasMelas
The Pelicans trade for CJ McCollum! Instant grades and reaction podcast! And what does this mean for Lillard? The boys are torn.
ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ
ｃｌａｓｓｉｃ
📼: https://t.co/hIq5TpS8ch
🍎: https://t.co/XjSclyKw9q
✳️: https://t.co/YpCkqbobMa
🅰️: https://t.co/v1qudKTIUE pic.twitter.com/8gtZZIBXrb – 1:20 PM
The Pelicans trade for CJ McCollum! Instant grades and reaction podcast! And what does this mean for Lillard? The boys are torn.
ａｎｏｔｈｅｒ
ｃｌａｓｓｉｃ
📼: https://t.co/hIq5TpS8ch
🍎: https://t.co/XjSclyKw9q
✳️: https://t.co/YpCkqbobMa
🅰️: https://t.co/v1qudKTIUE pic.twitter.com/8gtZZIBXrb – 1:20 PM
Andy Larsen @andyblarsen
At the Tribune, we’re doing a trade deadline live blog to discuss all of the Jazz-impacting news and rumors over the next couple of days.
First update: 1,000 words on the Blazers/Pellies deal. Does this set up a Dame trade?
sltrib.com/sports/jazz/20… – 12:51 PM
At the Tribune, we’re doing a trade deadline live blog to discuss all of the Jazz-impacting news and rumors over the next couple of days.
First update: 1,000 words on the Blazers/Pellies deal. Does this set up a Dame trade?
sltrib.com/sports/jazz/20… – 12:51 PM
Justin Kubatko @jkubatko
CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard had six seasons in which they each averaged at least 20 PPG while playing 60% of their team’s games.
That’s the second-most such seasons in NBA history by a duo:
8 – Baylor & West
6 – Lillard & McCollum
5 – Bryant & O’Neal
5 – Curry & Thompson pic.twitter.com/AYDwIAkrYm – 12:11 PM
CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard had six seasons in which they each averaged at least 20 PPG while playing 60% of their team’s games.
That’s the second-most such seasons in NBA history by a duo:
8 – Baylor & West
6 – Lillard & McCollum
5 – Bryant & O’Neal
5 – Curry & Thompson pic.twitter.com/AYDwIAkrYm – 12:11 PM
Christian Clark @cclark_13
Included in the story: CJ McCollum made 2.1 pull-up 3s per game last season. Only 4 players averaged more: Dame, Steph, Harden and Luka. nola.com/sports/pelican… – 11:56 AM
Included in the story: CJ McCollum made 2.1 pull-up 3s per game last season. Only 4 players averaged more: Dame, Steph, Harden and Luka. nola.com/sports/pelican… – 11:56 AM
Tom Haberstroh @tomhaberstroh
Damian Lillard-CJ McCollum record together
Regular season: 289-226 (.561)
Postseason: 19-38 (.333)
(via @Basketball-Reference ) – 11:50 AM
Damian Lillard-CJ McCollum record together
Regular season: 289-226 (.561)
Postseason: 19-38 (.333)
(via @Basketball-Reference ) – 11:50 AM
David Hardisty @clutchfans
All James Harden has to do this offseason is put out word that he’s willing to pair up with Damian Lillard in Portland and Brooklyn will trade him anywhere he wants to go. – 11:45 AM
All James Harden has to do this offseason is put out word that he’s willing to pair up with Damian Lillard in Portland and Brooklyn will trade him anywhere he wants to go. – 11:45 AM
Kyle Neubeck @KyleNeubeck
I get why everyone is focused on the Dame angle in Portland. But if the Sixers wanted to open a max slot in the summer to sign a certain someone, the Blazers are now potentially a lot more useful to them on that front (and from the looks of things, not exactly being managed well) – 11:41 AM
I get why everyone is focused on the Dame angle in Portland. But if the Sixers wanted to open a max slot in the summer to sign a certain someone, the Blazers are now potentially a lot more useful to them on that front (and from the looks of things, not exactly being managed well) – 11:41 AM
Aaron J. Fentress @AaronJFentress
The Blazers have now moved two contracts belonging to small guards that were worth a combined $140 mill and now have just 2 small guards from the regular rotation remaining on the roster, Lillard and Simons.
All of that money, in a variety of ways, will go elsewhere. – 11:30 AM
The Blazers have now moved two contracts belonging to small guards that were worth a combined $140 mill and now have just 2 small guards from the regular rotation remaining on the roster, Lillard and Simons.
All of that money, in a variety of ways, will go elsewhere. – 11:30 AM
Jason Quick @jwquick
Of 15 players on Blazers roster, nine are guards (Lillard, Simons, Bledsoe, Hart, Smith Jr., Satoransky, Johnson, McLemore, Alexander-Walker). Gotta imagine more moves ahead … – 11:24 AM
Of 15 players on Blazers roster, nine are guards (Lillard, Simons, Bledsoe, Hart, Smith Jr., Satoransky, Johnson, McLemore, Alexander-Walker). Gotta imagine more moves ahead … – 11:24 AM
Sean Highkin @highkin
Wherever anyone wants to land on this trade being good or bad, Dame has known what the plan was since he decided to have surgery. What they got back in this trade isn’t going to move the needle one way or the other on him doing the thing he’s repeatedly said he’s not going to do. – 11:21 AM
Wherever anyone wants to land on this trade being good or bad, Dame has known what the plan was since he decided to have surgery. What they got back in this trade isn’t going to move the needle one way or the other on him doing the thing he’s repeatedly said he’s not going to do. – 11:21 AM
Michael Singer @msinger
I’ve always thought part of the reason Dame never “asked” out of Portland was out of loyalty. With regard to the optics, it’s a helluva lot easier to leave now — and save face given that you were last one there — considering what’s around him. – 11:17 AM
I’ve always thought part of the reason Dame never “asked” out of Portland was out of loyalty. With regard to the optics, it’s a helluva lot easier to leave now — and save face given that you were last one there — considering what’s around him. – 11:17 AM
Kellan Olson @KellanOlson
I wonder if the Blazers making that move now makes any other teams hold at the deadline for the Dame sweepstakes this offseason – 11:17 AM
I wonder if the Blazers making that move now makes any other teams hold at the deadline for the Dame sweepstakes this offseason – 11:17 AM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
29 teams should at least ask what the price is for Dame at this point. You might be really surprised at the rate this is going. – 11:07 AM
29 teams should at least ask what the price is for Dame at this point. You might be really surprised at the rate this is going. – 11:07 AM
Dan Favale @danfavale
at the risk of being too soapbox-y: portland is clearly talking to dame throughout all of this. he’s either on board, or they’ve provided him more than adequate cover if/when he asks for a trade. – 11:06 AM
at the risk of being too soapbox-y: portland is clearly talking to dame throughout all of this. he’s either on board, or they’ve provided him more than adequate cover if/when he asks for a trade. – 11:06 AM
Marc Stein @TheSteinLine
This much is clear in Portland: Teams will be emboldened to pursue Damian Lillard in the offseason once the Blazers complete their expected trade of CJ McCollum to New Orleans. Can’t speak to Lillard’s intentions but he’ll be chased even harder now.
More: marcstein.substack.com – 10:57 AM
This much is clear in Portland: Teams will be emboldened to pursue Damian Lillard in the offseason once the Blazers complete their expected trade of CJ McCollum to New Orleans. Can’t speak to Lillard’s intentions but he’ll be chased even harder now.
More: marcstein.substack.com – 10:57 AM
Keith Smith @KeithSmithNBA
Damian Lillard in the Blazers locker room after he gets back from surgery: pic.twitter.com/gteOlQ63rx – 10:45 AM
Damian Lillard in the Blazers locker room after he gets back from surgery: pic.twitter.com/gteOlQ63rx – 10:45 AM
Kamenetzky Brothers @KamBrothers
Who knows how long Lillard will actually stay in Portland, but Josh Hart is a great fit alongside him, should Dame/the Blazers decide to stick it out. AK – 10:38 AM
Who knows how long Lillard will actually stay in Portland, but Josh Hart is a great fit alongside him, should Dame/the Blazers decide to stick it out. AK – 10:38 AM
Jabari Davis @JabariDavisNBA
Alright, so where is Dame headed? Asking for a friend. I’m the friend. – 10:30 AM
Alright, so where is Dame headed? Asking for a friend. I’m the friend. – 10:30 AM
The Ringer @ringernba
Damian Lillard in the Portland Trail Blazer’s locker room pic.twitter.com/PDpkngkKwY – 10:29 AM
Damian Lillard in the Portland Trail Blazer’s locker room pic.twitter.com/PDpkngkKwY – 10:29 AM
Ryan McDonald @ryanwmcdonald
New Orleans has taken care of both “the Jazz need to break up Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors” and “the Blazers need to break up Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum” – 10:25 AM
New Orleans has taken care of both “the Jazz need to break up Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors” and “the Blazers need to break up Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum” – 10:25 AM
More on this storyline
What’s more, sources say that two of the Sixers’ other short-list targets — Lillard and Washington’s Bradley Beal — remain out of reach. Both the Trail Blazers and Wizards have recently indicated that they’re not willing to discuss their stars with the Sixers. -via The Athletic / February 9, 2022
Aaron J. Fentress: I’ve been told numerous times that Damian Lillard is absolutely onboard with the retooling of the Blazers roster given that this season is a bust. I suggest that panicking fans all up in their feelings simply relax and let it all play out. That’s what Lillard is doing. -via Twitter @AaronJFentress / February 8, 2022
Adrian Wojnarowski: Portland’s plan is to fully reshape roster around Damian Lillard now. Portland created a $21M trade exception today, potentially $60M in salary cap space this summer, multiple draft picks and assets via Pels and Clippers trades. Plan is to pursue high-end talent now, not retreat. -via Twitter @wojespn / February 8, 2022