Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard is currently away from the team as he deals with an abdominal injury that will sideline him for at least 10 days. While he still has a few days left in that estimated timetable, he has still dominated headlines for the team and are the NBA’s hottest topic.
With general manager and president of basketball operations Neil Olshey being fired last week, the Trail Blazers are going to look a lot different sooner than later. A new general manager will have a lot to figure out when it comes to this roster, as Olshey was misguided in believing the one he had constructed was ready to compete for anything beyond a playoff spot.
Damian Lillard has been at the heart of those trade rumors going back to the offseason. Many thought he could be on the move after another first-round exit in the postseason. Terry Stotts lost his job as head coach because of the constant first-round exits and Lillard urged the front office to make some changes to the roster.
The Trail Blazers changes were minimal at best. Ben McLemore, Tony Snell and Cody Zeller were signed in free agency. Larry Nance Jr. was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers in a three-team trade that also involved the Chicago Bulls.
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Despite the seemingly underwhelming maneuvers, Lillard was saying all the right things in the media and was committed to Portland. However, those sentiments could be changing.
According to Shams Charania and Sam Amick of The Athletic, Lillard wants to see a significant change to the roster.
“Lillard intends to give the Trail Blazers organization time to find its next leader of basketball operations. But beyond the front office component, the face of the franchise still wants significant changes to the roster.”
What could constitute a significant change is anyone’s guess. Outside of moving Lillard, the only player on the team that would bring back a trade package of significance is his backcourt mate, C.J. McCollum. Jusuf Nurkic and Robert Covington could also be put on the trade block, but the packages they would bring back pale in comparison to what McCollum would receive.
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Currently 11-13 on the season, changes need to happen sooner or later otherwise the Portland Trail Blazers will continue sinking in the standings and a full-on rebuild could be on the horizon. Should the team not make the significant changes Damian Lillard has reportedly asked for, his trade request could be next.
