A Trade Deadline Decision Looms for Lillard, Blazers

Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard refuted previous reports that suggested that he is on the verge of requesting a trade out of Portland. According to a story from Bleacher Report’s Eric Pincus, Lillard could revisit that topic closer to the trade deadline.

Citing an Eastern Conference source, Pincus detailed the current situation between Lillard and the Blazers.

“It sounds like he is not getting moved anytime soon,” one Eastern Conference source told Bleacher Report. “From what I’ve heard, [Lillard is] going to give it a chance and then decide closer to the [trade] deadline.”

When it comes to building a contender around Lillard, the report from Pincus revealed that President of Basketball Operations Neil Olshey is unlikely to receive a lifeline from his peers around the league.

“I’m not sure how Olshey is going to get that done,” a former Western Conference executive said. “Everyone in the NBA knows [the Blazers] are up against it. No one is going to help Olshey solve the Lillard crisis.”

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“Any team dealing with the Blazers are going to put the screws to them,” the former executive said. “Unless they blow the whole thing up, they’re going to have a hard time.”

Earlier this week, The Athletic’s Jason Quick also pointed out that the Blazers could face an uphill climb when it comes to making improvements this offseason.

Along with those quotes, Pincus highlighted several hypothetical trade packages that the Blazers might receive from Lillard suitors.

You can read the complete story from Pincus at Bleacher Report.