NBA Rumors: Trouble In Rose City? All-Star Guard Hints At Leaving Portland

Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers Getty Images | Steph Chambers

KEY POINTS

Lillard and the Blazers front office could be coming to a head very soon.
The Blazers have announced Billups as their new coach
Lillard wants to compete for a title and he wants to do it now

On the same day that the Portland Trail Blazers announced that Chauncey Billups will be the team’s new head coach, new reports suggest that there is tension brewing between All-Star point guard Damian Lillard and the Blazers front office.

Sources tell myself & @AdamNBorai: There is a growing rift between Portland Trail Blazers ownership, Damian Lillard, & the front office. Dame has been in touch with players on other teams this off-season & monitoring Portland's future before committing to anything. More to come.
— Farbod Esnaashari (@Farbod_E) June 27, 2021

Yahoo Sports’ Chris Haynes reported that Lillard’s time with the Trail Blazers may be coming to a head.

Blazers team president of basketball operations Neil Olshey spent the past three weeks interviewing multiple coaches who would best fit the head coaching role in Portland after Terry Stotts’ departure.

Prominent names such as Brooklyn Nets assistant Mike D’Antoni and San Antonio Spurs assistant Becky Hammon were among the finalists for the position.

But the team opted to sign Billups to a five-year deal, which could be in part to his existing relationship with Olshey and Lillard.

However, sources told Haynes that the candidates Olshey interviewed were not among Lillard’s recommendations despite him reportedly sitting in during the interview.

This would also contradict Lillard’s previous statements of wanting either Billups or Jason Kidd as the team’s next head coach.

After the announcement of their new head coach, the Blazers and Lillard received backlash from their fanbase for hiring a coach that was accused of rape in 1997.

Lillard has been on the defensive on social media as fans have really been coming for him.

Really? I was asked what coaches I like of the names I “heard” and I named them. Sorry I wasn’t aware of their history I didn’t read the news when I was 7/8yrs old. I don’t support Those things … but if this the route y’all wana come at me… say less https://t.co/N1GPkX3Ohd
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 26, 2021

Multiple sources report that “Dame Time” has raised some concerns on whether the Blazers really could become a championship contender in the next couple of years.

Jason Quick of The Athletic has heard “rumblings that Damian Lillard is getting antsy” and that “there is a palpable sense of urgency coming from Lillard’s camp. Lillard wants to win big and he wants to do it now.”

Of course, he does. He’s been carrying the Blazers for the past couple of seasons and only saw a first-round exit as thanks for his efforts.

However, Lillard has always been adamant about staying in Portland as he does love the fanbase dearly.

But perspectives change over time and with how young teams like the Phoenix Suns and Atlanta Hawks are competing for a spot in the NBA Finals, Lillard would definitely be feeling some type of way.

If Lillard wants to move teams, he won’t be an unrestricted free agent until 2025, meaning he’ll have to force the Blazers front office to trade him.

But that would be uncharacteristic of him. However, it wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility.