Stephen A. Smith has often urged Damian Lillard to focus his attention on a big market team to contest for his first NBA Championship. But on Wednesday morning, the ESPN Analyst crossed all boundaries by 'begging' the 8-time All-Star to leave Portland Trail Blazers at all costs this offseason.
"I have been begging Damian Lillard to get the hell out of Portland. You're not winning there. You're not getting any free agents to come there. It's just not going to happen. Who doesn't love the thought of playing with Damian Lillard? What's the issue? He's in Portland! You're not getting anybody to come to Portland, so Damian Lillard.you ain't going anywhere! This is a superstar. it's a crying damn shame that he is in Portland, Oregon.the bottom line is he needs to get the hell out of there," exclaimed Smith on First Take.
It doesn't seem like Lillard has an issue with Trail Blazers as he has been paid handsomely, earning more than $230 million in his career so far with another $200 million on the way as it stands now. But what bothers the 8-time All-Star is the championship approach of this franchise.
Despite logging a career-best 32.2 PPG last season, Dame did not even feature in the playoffs. Adding to the same sentiment, SAS exclaimed how Portland is neither an attractive destination for multi-faceted free agents nor will the franchise be able to retain draft picks that turn into good players.
Being 32 years old and at the peak of his form, Lillard has earlier stressed not wanting to be a part of a 'rebuild.' This is just why if the Trail Blazers in unable to develop a championship team around Lillard, a trade for the franchise's biggest star could be on the horizon.
While Lillard's loyalty to the Trail Blazers has been admirable, CJ McCollum urged how fans may have already witnessed the last of Dame in Portland.
"If I was a betting man, I would say this is the last that we've seen of him (in Portland)," proclaimed CJ.
Whether or not Lillard stays with the Trail Blazers entirely depends upon the upcoming NBA Draft and free agency. If the franchise fails to land a quality supporting star and big man, we could witness Lillard dawning a new jersey.