Damian Lillard Expected At Training Camp For Portland

By Jordan Long

The Portland Trailblazers are looking to improve on their 33-49 record from last year.  Training camp for them opens on October 3^rd.  Their first preseason game is on October 12 when they host Phoenix.  The regular season for them begins on October 25^th when they face the L.A. Clippers.  Star Damian Lillard is willing to report to the training camp for Portland if a trade is not made to Miami.  He will not go to another team though even if a deal is reached.

            Lillard has been with Portland since they drafted him in the 2012 NBA Draft, 12^th overall.  Over the years, Lillard has become their best player.  He has averaged 25.2 points and 6.7 assists per game in his career.  In that time, Lillard made 7 All-Star Games.

            Portland has earned a playoff spot 8 times with Lillard heading into this year.  The problem is they haven’t gone all the way to the NBA Finals with him.  The furthest they advanced was the Western Conference Finals in 2019 but were swept by Golden State.  Lillard wants to be on a winning team.

            Lillard has asked for a trade out of Portland.  It is easy to see why. Portland hasn’t earned a playoff spot in 2 years and they are rebuilding.  Lillard doesn’t want to be part of a rebuild but will stay there if no deal is reached between Miami and Portland before the regular season.

            Miami is his preferred destination.  It makes a lot of sense.  Miami has earned a playoff spot in the last 4 years.  They have managed to reach the NBA Finals in 2 of the 4 years, 2020 and 2023.  Both of those ended in disappointment.  In 2020, they were knocked off by the L.A. Lakers in the bubble setting in 6 games.  Last year, they were dominated by the Denver Nuggets in 5 games.

            Lillard would make Miami a better team.  Even if Miami had to give up some players and draft picks it could be worth it.  Lillard would team up with Jimmy Butler giving the Heat two superstars in a “dream team” scenario.

            It doesn’t seem likely right now that a deal will be struck between Portland and Miami.  Lillard will begin the season with Portland.  It could be during the year Lillard is traded to Miami if Portland’s season goes south.  This would happen at the trade deadline.  Expect Lillard to be in camp with Portland although he may be playing some of his last games there.