- Damian Lillard stay with Portland Trail Blazers is under doubt as three huge teams express interest
- He is currently in the second season of his four-year contract and is anticipating making $42.49 million
- He has played for the Blazers for 11 seasons
Damian Lillard stay with Portland Trail Blazers is under doubt as three huge teams express interest in his exit from Blazers.
He played his 11th season with the team in what was part of a four-year deal entered with the team in 2022 worth $176.26 million.
He is currently in the second season of his four-year contract and is anticipating making $42.49 million with the club. He made $39.34 million in the 2021-22 season. Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers had reached an agreement on a two-year contract extension before the start of the 2022–2023 NBA season.
His two-year maximum agreement is worth $225 million, according to the NBA. However, as things stand, he may not return to Portland. In this case, here are three big NBA teams eyeing him.
BROOKLYN NETS
Mikal Bridges and Damian who are close buddies combine in this trade to become the best backcourt in the NBA. The failed big three of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and James Harden, has left the Nets searching for players to replace them, and this move provides them with a backcourt that might help them contend.
Brooklyn Nets arena. Photo/The Brooklyn Game
The 22nd overall pick, Nic Claxton, Dorian Finney-Smith, Joe Harris, and the 2025 first-round pick of Phoenix stand traded by the Nets. In exchange for Jabari Smith and their longtime superstar, the Blazers receive a very strong package of guys to hasten any future reconstruction. And in that whole mix is Lillard.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Lillard is still in the west hitherto but there is the possibility of relocating to Los Angeles to don the all too familiar purple and gold outfit. The Lakers will probably call Portland since they are looking for a third superstar to team up with LeBron James and Anthony Davis.
In a $100 million sign-and-trade, the Lakers also part with Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, and Mo Bamba in addition to budding sensation Austin Reeves. In a deal with Portland, LA will also have to forfeit their seventeenth overall choice in the draught.
Damian Lillard is the third star the Lakers have been searching for, and they hope to hoist another banner to the rafters in 2023. A Lakers team with Dame, AD, and LeBron as its nucleus will undoubtedly be competitive.
MIAMI HEAT
Damian Lillard. Photo/Sports Illustrated
Lillard’s exodus from Portland Trail Blazers has for long time been associated with Miami Heat from the beginning. It was widely assumed that the Heat would be major purchasers this offseason following their series loss to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals.
In a strong upcoming draught class, this trade sends Tyler Herro, Caleb Martin, and Victor Oladipo to Portland and Miami’s 18th overall pick. Lillard gets a change of scenery in Miami, where he, Butler, and Adebayo immediately establish themselves as one of the NBA’s top big threes and aim to return to the NBA Finals.
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