“I want to have an opportunity to win in Portland… We got an opportunity, asset-wise, to build a team that can compete. If we can’t do that… then it’s a separate conversation we would have to have” Damian Lillard on the Blazers’ future (via @SHOsports)

10 comments

1. Gonna be a staring contest next year between Dame and the team for who’s gonna start the trade talks

2. Great news. Really hope we don’t use the assets to build a winner and instead build for the future in order to force this “separate conversation” that would save our franchise from a decade of cellar dwelling after holding onto Dame too long for more 1st round exits until his value is gone and we are screwed.

3. Good. I don’t want to trade the 3rd pick for Siakam.

4. Damn that makes it seem like this is the last chance and if Portland doesn’t make win now trades dame might legitimately ask out that’s massive

5. This could be interpreted as him saying the 3rd pick is good enough for home to stay and make some other moves not including Shae.

6. Ah yes, leave out the part where he says he thinks he will be on the roster opening night. Because clicks.

7. My wife read that he’s selling his house in PDX?

8. Ugh, the way he’s been publicly pushing for the team to deal the pick decreases our leverage in any trade scenario. Wish he would stop doing this.

9. He has been saying the SAME thing for a few months already. Nothing new.

10. The reality for Dame is that his contract is too big to just slot into a premier contender. As much as he is gripping about win now or I’m out. If we trade him to another team that is going to gut their assets to being in the same position as on PDX (look at Brooklyn’s for example with Durant). Either way he might have to wait until his next contract to give a team a viable window.