Lakers Trade For Lillard? LeBron Admiration Doesn't Sway Trailblazers Guard

Damian Lillard has established himself as one of the elite point guards in the NBA over the last few seasons and it has not gone unnoticed by the big guns in the league.

The Portland Trailblazers point guard is a three-time All-Star and despite his team’s poor start to the campaign – he has been posting some impressive numbers, which could well see him in the All-Star picture again this season; at least as a reserve if not a starter.

LeBron James is said to be a big fan of the guard, who was the sixth overall pick in the 2012 Draft. He has played with the Trailblazers since making it to the NBA, but if James had his way it could have been different.

According to Bleacher Report’s Ric Bucher, the three-time NBA champion was keen for Lillard to join him in Cleveland and even instructed the team bosses to make a trade request for the guard after it became clear that Kyrie Irving wanted out after the 2016-17 campaign.

“League sources say that when James became convinced Irving couldn’t be persuaded to stay in Cleveland, he suggested to the Cavs front office that it deal Irving to the Blazers for All-Star point guard Damian Lillard,” Bucher said.

James has since joined the Los Angeles Lakers on a four-year deal after entering free agency this summer and his admiration for Lillard, which saw him stating: “Give me Damian Lillard, I’ll show you how appreciated he’ll be,” in March has seen the Trailblazers guard linked with a move to California.

“The Cavs never called the Blazers, but James’ interest has led to speculation about the Lakers trading for Lillard,” he added.

The 28-year-old, however, has said he is not interested in joining James in Los Angeles despite admitting that they could complement each other well. Lillard is keen to build his legacy in Portland and revealed that the only way he would leave the Trailblazers is if the team decided he was surplus to requirements.

“I love where I am,” Lillard said. “I play for a great organization. I’m not looking for nothing. I think we’d complement each other well, but the only way that ever happens is if my team decides they don’t want me no more. I’m trying to build something here.”

However, stranger things have happened in the NBA and one can never say never. But the Lakers, who have made no secret of wanting to add another big player to compliment James, do have other targets in their sights, namely, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard and Anthony Davis.

The former two will enter free agency in 2019, while the latter still has one and a half years left on his deal – but has the option of buying it out at the end of the current campaign. It remains to be seen who will join the Lakers and help get them back to being title contenders.