As Damian Lillard decides between the Portland Trail Blazers and free agency, a few front runners have emerged on the star’s list of potential destinations. He still hasn’t decided to leave his longtime team, but the possibility of his departure is more likely now than ever before.
In an interview on Showtime’s The Last Stand with Brian Custer, Lillard named two teams that he would be especially interested in pursuing in free agency.
“Miami obviously,” Lillard said. “Miami is the obvious one. Bam [Adebayo] is my dog. Bam is my dog for real. But I mean I think Miami is the obvious one. Brooklyn is another obvious one because Mikal Bridges is my dog too. I mean, both have capable rosters.”
For the past 11 seasons, Lillard has played for the Trail Blazers and made seven All-Star appearances. He has led the team to a number of playoff appearances but has never gotten close to a championship. Signing another contract would demonstrate a level of commitment seldom seen among stars in the modern era.
“I want to have an opportunity to win in Portland…We got an opportunity, asset-wise, to build a team that can compete,” Lillard said. “If we can’t do that, then, you know, obviously, like I’ve said, you know, for months now, like then this is a separate conversation that we would have to have.”
Beyond Portland, where he would have an obvious purpose as the team’s current leader, Lillard could also find very solid opportunities in Brooklyn and Miami. The two destinations would offer different chances; Miami is currently in the midst of an NBA Finals run while Brooklyn is in the very early stages of a rebuild. Both could obviously find ways for the 32-year-old guard to contribute, however, while also giving him legitimate chances in the postseason going forward.
