Could Damian Lillard Have Played His Last Game In Portland?

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, NBA Trade Rumors
NBA Analysis Network

In the wake of Neil Olshey being fired for violating code of conduct following an investigation, the Portland Trail Blazers are going to have some difficult decisions to make in the coming weeks and months, especially as the NBA trade deadline approaches. But, one of the easier decisions they will have to make should be shutting down superstar point guard, Damian Lillard.

Lillard has been negatively impacted this season by lower abdominal tendinopathy. It is something that he has said has affected him for “three and a half or four seasons” but has really taken a toll this season.

Lillard has already missed one stretch of time this season trying to manage the injury and is about to miss his second. He is not accompanying the team on their upcoming six-game road trip. Instead, he will be meeting with a specialist to determine the next steps in handling the injury.

The organization has given serious consideration to shutting him down for an extended period of time so that he can heal properly. While that would effectively end the Portland Trail Blazers’ hopes of making a postseason run, it is ultimately what head coach Chauncey Billips believes will happen.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard To Meet With Blazers About ‘Shutting Down’

“I think that’s probably going to be the route that we go if he doesn’t get some kind of relief there,” Blazers coach Chauncey Billups said last week when asked directly about the possibility of shutting Damian Lillard down for an extended period of time.”

Portland may have come into the season with some high hopes, but things can change rapidly in the sports world. For the Trail Blazers, packing it in the remainder of this season could benefit them in the long run.

While they are in drastically different situations, look what it did for the Golden State Warriors scaling things back for one season. They landed a top pick, got their veterans in Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson healthy and now look like they are going to be contenders once again. Portland could take a similar route with Lillard, who could certainly use the rest.

The NBA schedule has been a difficult one for players to navigate since COVID-19 paused the 2019-20 season. With the restart in July, the offseason was shortened as the 2020-21 season picked up at Christmas. Portland qualified for the postseason both times, with heroic performances from Lillard carrying the team.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard To Meet With Blazers About ‘Shutting Down’

Lillard took virtually zero time off the last offseason. Once the Portland Trail Blazers were eliminated from the postseason by the Denver Nuggets, Lillard quickly transitioned to playing with Team USA for the Olympics.

All of that basketball has seemingly begun to take its toll. While Lillard has handled the abdominal injury for a while, it has become too much to deal with this season. He is in the midst of the worst shooting season of his career as a result and Portland’s record is a direct reflection of his struggles.

Eligible for a two-year, $107 million extension this summer, Lillard must get healthy. Paying a player into his mid-30s more than $50 million is a big enough risk already. Doing so with an injury, such as the one Lillard is dealing with, looming, and you are setting your franchise up for disaster.

LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard To Meet With Blazers About ‘Shutting Down’

Portland can focus on being sellers at the NBA trade deadline Damian Lillard is shut down. They can recoup as many assets as possible for the veterans they make available, such as Robert Covington and Jusuf Nurkic, who are both on expiring contracts Larry Nance Jr. could also be made available and bring back some solid value in a trade as well.

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