Damian Lillard describes Victor Wembanyama as an all-rounder player and trouble for the league
Damian Lillard has high praise for number one draft prospect Victor Wembanyama. He's relieved that he won't spend a lot of time playing against the big Frenchman.
In an interview on ESPN's 'NBA Today', Malika Andrews asked Lillard for his opinion on Wembanyama. Being a fan of the game, Lillard had nothing but good things to say about the up-and-coming French star. Additionally, the six-time All-Star expressed his thoughts on Wembanyama's potential:
"I mean, I've only seen clips of him. But man, I mean what is he 7-foot-4? He's generational you know I've never seen nothing like it," Lillard said.
"You know, I think you've seen guys that are either that height that are shot blockers, and can't really move well. But he's moving like a wing and he's blocking shots. He's [doing] pull up jumpers, fade away jumpers from three. Got a fluid shooting motion, he can handle."
"I'm happy that I'm not gonna be in the league [for a] long time with him."
Victor Wembanyama is set to be the top pick in next year's draft. In that case, he won't get to match up against Damian Lillard for long. The former Rookie of the Year is entering his 11th season in the NBA. Even though retirement seems far away for Lillard, he's clearly given some thought about it.
Damian Lillard is expected to return to the Blazers' lineup after sitting out most of last season with an abdominal injury. Due to his absence, the team struggled down the stretch. They finished 13th in the Western Conference with a 27-55 record. It was just the second time that Lillard missed the playoffs during his career.
Victor Wembanyama can play any position on the court
All-around talents aren't rare these days. Players like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic and LeBron James are extremely skilled and can play any position on the court. Victor Wembanyama seems to be following in the footsteps of those legends.
At 7'4", Wembanyama is already a threat on the floor. His reach has helped him become a defensive problem for opposing teams. He's also shown that he's a capable rim protector.
But that's not the only skill he possesses. Victor Wembanyama can also score from anywhere in the floor. He has a silky, smooth jumpshot that's impossible to block.
Wembanyama can stretch defenses with his shooting ability. He was able to showcase his shooting skills when his team played against the G-League Ignite earlier this month.
Chances Victor Wembanyama could be drafted by Portland next season
The Victor Wembanyama sweepstakes are underway. There will be a flurry of teams tanking this season to secure themselves the first overall pick. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz and San Antonio Spurs are all expected to be at the bottom of the league by the end of the season. The Portland Trailblazers could also see themselves in that group.
A few days ago, both Jalen Rose and Dave Jacoby discussed the possibility of the Blazers drafting a top draft pick. On their show 'Jalen & Jacoby', they said that Portland could be in the mix to draft Wembanyama if they trade away Damian Lillard.
Given how loyal Lillard's been to the organization, it's unlikely that the Blazers will trade him. But sometimes you have to make sacrifices in order to get a generational talent. Victor Wembanyama clearly fits that description.