Damian Lillard’s 2022-23 NBA campaign with the Portland Trail Blazers did not go according to plan.
The hope, originally, was that the team would be able to contend for a playoff spot. That didn’t end up happening.
Now with a week and change remaining in the regular season, it has become clear that this was a lost year for the Blazers and Lillard both.
That has led to the organization making something of a drastic move.
.@ShamsCharania: “I’m told Damian Lillard essentially has been shut down for the remainder of the season…”@ChandlerParsons gives his take on Dame’s future with the #Blazers 👀#RunItBack pic.twitter.com/iSNhP4kPzU
— FanDuel TV (@FanDuelTV) March 27, 2023
“I’m told Damian Lillard essentially has been shut down for the remainder of the season,” NBA insider Shams Charania said this week.
“… They also have a lottery-protected first round pick in this upcoming draft so there is incentive to get to the lottery, keep their first round pick this year, potentially even get in the top five, top three and see either you draft at that position or you end up trading that pick.
“But I think when you look at this for Damian Lillard, you now have to wonder if he plays another game for the Portland Trail Blazers.”
With Lillard’s status very much in doubt, Kevin Garnett appeared on his podcast this week and lobbied for him to go to the New York Knicks.
“If Dame Lillard gets to New York (Knicks) and does what he does in Portland in New York, he’ll be considered one of the best to ever do it.”
I believe Dame will go down as one of the greatest if he joins the Knicks. Ain’t nothing like playing in MSG and Dame will put on a show… pic.twitter.com/5kkrTzeit2
— Kevin Garnett (@KevinGarnett5KG) March 28, 2023
“Listen, if Dame Lillard gets to New York, and he does what he does in Portland in New York, he’ll be considered one of the best to ever to it. Like already,” Garnett argued.
“If he had 71 in the Garden like he did in the Rose Garden…it’d be bigger than life, that’s what I’m saying. Dame Lillard to New York, Knicks fans don’t even know what they’re [getting]. We’d have to go see that. We’d have to go pull up.”
The Knicks have previously broached the topic of a trade for Lillard. Their offer for him is a matter of public record. That said, a deal never materialized.
It is clear that New York wants Lillard. And based on what ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst reported this week, the organization is definitely in a position to get him this summer.
The photos speak for themselves.https://t.co/gAwOHK039U
— Game 7 (@game7__) March 28, 2023
But the Knicks have made a habit in recent years of being linked to superstars, only to subsequently fall short when it comes time to actually get them.
Will the Knicks finally be able to finish the drill and get Lillard to New York over the offseason? Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
