Damian Lillard accepts trying to be a Laker last summer and join LeBron James and Anthony Davis to make a title run
Portland Trailblazers' superstar guard Damian Lillard is one of the most loyal players in the NBA today. It's hard to imagine Lillard on a different team, but he considered playing for a different franchise.
In an interview with Malika Andrews on NBA Today, Lillard shared that he considered playing elsewhere. He said he spoke to LA Lakers superstars Anthony Davis and LeBron James about potentially forming a big three. With a clear desire to win, it's no surprise that the six-time All-Star thought of leaving Portland.
Lillard said:
"When we had those conversations, it was at a time where I just didn't know, you know. I didn't know if our team was going in the same direction as I was. I'm getting to that time where I want to win, you know, or I've said many times that I could live with it not happening.
"And at that time I just didn't know that's what was going on, but I wasn't like definitely looking for something else or whatever it was just like whatever happens, happens."
Lillard concluded by saying:
"I just need to be in a situation where we all pulling for the same thing."
In the end, Damian Lillard chose to stay with the Portland Trailblazers. His loyalty may not be seen as a huge deal, but his efforts haven't gone unnoticed by the front office. For the 2022-23 NBA season, the Blazers made decent moves to help the former Rookie of the Year win in the tough Western Conference.
The Trailblazers start their regular season against the Sacramento Kings on Oct. 20.
The LA Lakers have often found themselves in trade rumors recently and are linked to many star players every time the trade deadline approaches. Damian Lillard wasn't able to escape the trade rumors and became a hot topic in the summer of 2021.
In an article published by Blazer's Edge, David MacKay wrote that LeBron James tried to convince Lillard to leave Portland. This was revealed by Logan Murdock of The Ringer earlier this month.
Last year, famed NBA analyst Stephen A. Smith also thought of a scenario where Lillard was playing for the Purple and Gold. However, it didn't come to fruition and Dame remained loyal to the franchise.
Damian Lillard's career in Portland
In 11 seasons in the league, Lillard hasn't yet taken the Blazers to the Finals. However, it's not all gloomy for Lillard's career in Portland. Recently, the six-time All-NBA expressed that he wants his legacy to live on as a Blazer. He was encouraged by a former Blazer, Clyde Drexler, to stay and leave an imprint in Portland.
Lillard is close to being the franchise's all-time leader in points scored for the team. Right now, he's has 17,510 points in the regular season and Drexler's record in Portland is 18,040 points. It should be noted that Drexler also played four seasons in Houston and has a total of 22,195 points in the regular season.
Even if he doesn't win the title, Damian Lillard's impact will live on in the history books.