Paid In Full is cult classic crime drama from 2002. Starring Wood Harris, Mekhi Phifer, and Cam’ron, the film follows three Harlem drug dealers. The film is a fictionalized version of the lives of actual 80s dealers AZ Faison, Rich Porter, and Alpo Martinez. Largely panned by critics, the film found a following amongst select audiences. It currently holds a 93% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. One of the most iconic scenes of the film is when the three main characters get Chinese takeout in an artfully shot scene.
Now, 21 years later, Cam’ron has recreated that scene with the help of a surprise guest. In a photo posted to social media, Cam’ron can be seen recreating the Chinese food scene with the help of NBA star Damian Lillard. The Blazers superstar was 12 years old when Paid In Full came out and still a full decade away from joining the NBA. However, it’s a fun moment of levity amid a brutal offseason for Lillard.
It’s now been several months since Damian Lillard requested a trade out of Portland. That request appears to be going nowhere. The Blazers appear happy to wait on an offer they would be willing to give Lillard up for. If you have forgotten, and who can blame you at this point, Lillard is under contract for four years and has no trade clauses in his contract. If the Blazers don’t trade him and he refuses to play, he’s the one that suffers.
Meanwhile, there doesn’t appear to be a trade market beyond Miami, who aren’t willing to meet the Blazers’ demands. “There’s not that many teams that are going to give you a bunch of players and picks for a 33-year-old who can’t stay healthy and has a giant contract sitting there. It was not anything Dame said or Aaron Goodwin said that shut down the market. That stuff didn’t help. But there weren’t teams lined up for him even before that,” an anonymous NBA executive told Forbes.
Renowned rapper and NBA star Damian Lillard, alias Dame D.O.L.L.A., has pulled back the curtain on his most personal project yet, Don D.O.L.L.A. The 15-track album, set to enthrall fans and critics alike, breaks boundaries and defies expectations. Lillard’s lyrical prowess is laid bare through poignant verses and passionate deliveries, offering an unfiltered look into his world. The album delves deep into themes of fame, family, and life’s pressures, providing a raw and honest perspective.
Don D.O.L.L.A. boasts a stellar lineup with various collaborators, including Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Ty Dolla $ign, and more. Each guest artist adds a unique dimension to the album’s rich tapestry. Expertly produced by talents like Nonstop Da Hitman and Ayo, the album’s sonic landscapes seamlessly complement Dame’s lyrical finesse. Don D.O.L.L.A. promises a captivating and immersive musical journey, inviting listeners to experience Lillard’s artistry in its truest form.
“Creating ‘Don D.O.L.L.A.’ has been a transformative journey for me as I deal with the obstacles in my life,” reflects Dame D.O.L.L.A. “I wanted to make an album that not only showcased my growth as an artist but also conveyed the complexities of my life and responsibilities. This project allowed me to delve into my emotions and share my experiences in a way I’ve never done before. I usually record an album during the NBA offseason in a couple of weeks, but this album took over a year. I sat with this art and made sure I was saying exactly what I wanted to say in the best way I could. I know I became a better artist and storyteller with this album.”
It’s nearly Dametime. Damian Lillard, known musically as Dam Dolla, is nearly ready to drop his latest album, Don D.O.L.L.A. On the basketball court, he’s earned the respect of some of the game’s most celebrated players. Within the music industry, Dolla is doing to same as he continues to collect impressive collaborations, including Snoop Dogg.
In the album’s official trailer, director Brookfield Duece shows Dolla’s laser-focused grind to be the best on the court and in the booth. The athlete/musician took to Instagram to share a note about the forthcoming release, writing, “My 5th album, #DonDOLLA, is dropping in a couple of weeks. The most complete project I’ve put together. Top-notch features and production.”
The project will feature 15 songs, including previously shared singles “The Way It Goes” and “Cabo” featuring Sy Ari Da Kid. Rick Ross, Lil Wayne, Ty Dolla Sign, Tobe Nwigwe, Jordan Sparks, Rexx Life Raj, and more will make guest appearances on the album. As for basketball fans holding out to learn more about his career on the court, Dolla also has a message for them.
“Basketball is what I do, but it’s not entirely who I am. Every time I get into the recording booth, it’s like stepping into another world. Being able to pursue a career in music and basketball allows me to be who I am, on my own terms,” wrote Dolla in a separate post on Instagram. Regardless of the NBA team he lands when trade talks have concluded, he’s confirmed that his music career will travel with him.
Watch the trailer above.
Don Dolla is out 8/17 via Front Page Music/Empire. Find more information here.
Damian Lillard formally requested a trade on July 2, citing the Miami Heat as his preferred destination. However, with Lillard not holding a no-trade clause, the Blazers have been steadfast in seeking the best deal for the team. This has been a problem for the Heat, who haven’t been wowing the Blazers with their Tyler Herro-centric offers. Meanwhile, Lillard’s agent has reportedly been contacting prospective Lillard suitors and telling them to back off. Reportedly, Aaron Gordon has told teams that they would get an “unhappy” version of Lillard if he was sent to a team other than the Heat.
According to Aaron Fentress of Oregon Live, “The Blazers, according to NBA sources, are seeking in the neighborhood of four first-round picks and two quality players.” This sounds like an equitable package for what they would be giving up in Lillard. Fentress more recently reported that the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are “pretty close” to finalizing a deal that would send Damian Lillard to South Beach. According to Aaron J. Fentress, Miami has offered three first-round picks, guard Tyler Herro, salary filler, and potentially a young player. However, Paul Pierce isn’t buying the hype.
Paul Pierce Says Lillard Heat Are A First-Round Team
— SHOWTIME Basketball (@shobasketball) July 13, 2023
“You put them three together [Butler, Adebayo, Lillard], they won’t make it out the first round,” Pierce declared on the Blue Wire Podcast. “You gotta understand how they got to the championship this year. A lot of this had to do with they depth. A lot of this had to do with they depth and a lot of guys playing way above they pay grade. Caleb, Anthony, these guys were averaging 20 points on Boston. We ain’t seen them do that. Duncan Robinson…To get Dame, they gone. You gonna have to gut that team out. They lost Vincent, Strus, A’ight, what’d Strus do? He was killer. Vincent? 20. Caleb? 20.” Pierce’s cohosts were completely taken by Pierce’s assertions…except he’s completely right. Sure, maybe “first round” is a little over the top, but he’s right.
We know that if the Heat acquire Dame, Tyler Herro is gone. That’s 20 ppg off the board. At least one young player gone as well, that’s another 5 to 10 ppg off the board. All this in a conference with Milwaukee, Boston, Philadelphia, etc. Yes, Miami wants Dame and Dame wants Miami. But Dame wants to win in Miami. Is Lillard minus whatever depth you give up for him really going to win you a championship over Denver, Phoenix, Golden State, or the Lakers? So sure, Paul Pierce is being a little dramatic, but he is absolutely right that a Big Three with no depth cannot win a title.
Per The Oregonian, the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami Heat are “pretty close” to finalizing a deal that would send Damian Lillard to South Beach. According to Aaron J. Fentress, Miami has offered three first-round picks, guard Tyler Herro, salary filler, and potentially a young player. Previously, it was reported that the Blazers had no interest in acquiring Herro. Furthermore, it was believed they were looking for four first-rounders and two impact players.
While Fentress notes that they are closing in on a deal, it’s likely that a third team will need to be involved in the trade to complete it. As Fentress noted, “If you don’t want Herro, you just have to find someone to take Herro and give you another first-round pick. Then you’re at four firsts and, then, at least one young player and salary filler, and maybe two young players.” To visualize that further:
Portland Gets: 3 firsts, salary filler, young player from Miami + 1 first, young player from Team 3
Miami Gets: Damian Lillard from Portland
Team 3 Gets: Tyler Herro from Miami
Who Could Complete The Damian Lillard Trade?
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a call during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Moda Center on March 14, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The New York Knicks won 123-107. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
That begs the question – who could help finalize this blockbuster trade? In previous reporting, teams like the Pistons and Nets have been floated as potential partners. The Pistons definitely have the young talent to potentially give the Blazers a second player. They would also be able to give up a first-rounder as early as 2025. However, the question remains as to whether Detroit would be willing to give up a piece of the young core the team is building. The reverse is somewhat true for the Nets. They have a lot of draft capital, but minimal young players to give away.
Well, what about out west? The Timberwolves have some draft capital, but no young players that you’d exactly call impact additions. The Thunder is currently running a very young roster. Furthermore, they would benefit from another shooting threat like Herro. Additionally, the team has as many as four 2024 first-rounders. Essentially, the Lillard trade is so very complicated, primarily because the one player the Heat is willing to trade is the one person Portland doesn’t want. However, despite all the talk about the trade potentially taking months, we could be looking at a resolution sooner than we expected.
Damian Lillard formally requested a trade on July 2, citing the Miami Heat as his preferred destination. However, with Lillard not holding a no-trade clause, the Blazers have been steadfast in seeking the best deal for the team. This has been a problem for the Heat, who haven’t been wowing the Blazers with their Tyler Herro-centric offers. Meanwhile, Lillard’s agent has reportedly been contacting prospective Lillard suitors and telling them to back off. Reportedly, Aaron Gordon has told teams that they would get an “unhappy” version of Lillard if he was sent to a team other than the Heat.
This has led to something of a stalemate. The Blazers are demanding “best offers” only from prospective trade partners will Gordon is trying to force a move to Miami. However, returning to Miami, the Blazers have essentially gone on record to say that either the Heat up their offer or find a third team to add to the trade if Herro is a dealbreaker asset. This has led to the Pistons and Nets joining the trade talks. However, things have gotten a little clearer as the Blazers have revealed what sort of compensation they are looking for.
Blazers Want Multiple Firsts, Multiple Players
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 19: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers eyes the basket before shooting a free throw during the third quarter against the LA Clippers at the Moda Center on March 19, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The LA Clippers won 117-102. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
According to Aaron Fentress of Oregon Live, “The Blazers, according to NBA sources, are seeking in the neighborhood of four first-round picks and two quality players.” This sounds like an equitable package for what they would be giving up in Lillard. However, 1) it’s bad news for the Heat and 2) it almost guarantees that this will be a three-team deal.
So firstly, why is it bad news for the Heat? Simple – the Heat really don’t have the roster to give up multiple players. This is especially the case if the Blazers don’t have any interest in Tyler Herro. Maybe there would be interest in Kyle Lowry. However, Miami would likely want to keep him. Furthermore, why would Portland trade for a point guard when they have Scoot Henderson? That ties into the second point as well. There are few teams in the league who would be willing to give up two players in order for someone else to get Damian Lillard. It’s almost impossible to put together a trade that feels like would be accepted by all parties.
Damian Lillard formally requested a trade on July 2, citing the Miami Heat as his preferred destination. However, with Lillard not holding a no-trade clause, the Blazers have been steadfast in seeking the best deal for the team. This has been a problem for the Heat, who haven’t been wowing the Blazers with their Tyler Herro-centric offers. Meanwhile, Lillard’s agent has reportedly been contacting prospective Lillard suitors and telling them to back off. Reportedly, Aaron Gordon has told teams that they would get an “unhappy” version of Lillard if he was sent to a team other than the Heat.
This has led to something of a stalemate. The Blazers are demanding “best offers” only from prospective trade partners will Gordon is trying to force a move to Miami. However, returning to Miami, the Blazers have essentially gone on record to say that either the Heat up their offer or find a third team to add to the trade if Herro is a dealbreaker asset. This has led to a very surprising name entering the trade saga – the Detroit Pistons.
Pistons Could Be Third Team in Lillard Trade
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – APRIL 09: Hunter and Saint LaVine with Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull after the game against the Detroit Pistons at United Center on April 09, 2023 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
Per Chris Hayes, the Pistons could be a team that Miami includes in a trade in order to acquire Lillard. The Pistons skew very young right now, with four of their five projected starters aged 22 or younger. What the Pistons really lack is some more experienced productive talent. Sure, Tyler Herro is only 23. However, he has four seasons of NBA experience and is coming off back-to-back 20+ ppg seasons. Herro would have been the Pistons’ second-highest scorer last year.
However, Herro doesn’t really make sense for the Pistons either, as he’d primarily compete for playing time with Cade Cunningham and Jalen Ivey. A team that makes more sense to include in a three-team trade would be the Brooklyn Nets. Herro would be an upgrade at point guard over Spencer Dinwiddie and the Nets have a buttload of draft capital. While the deal would obviously have a lot of moving parts, the headline acquisitions could be as follows:
Miami gets Damian Lillard from Portland
Brooklyn gets Tyler Herro from Miami
Portland gets draft capital from Brooklyn + player from Miami
Damian Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, has reportedly advised teams other than the Miami Heat against trading for Lillard. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the latest NBA news notes that Goodwin has warned these teams that they would be acquiring “an unhappy player.” This move is seen as a strategy to ensure that Lillard ends up at his preferred destination. This specifically being in place for when the Portland Trail Blazers decide to trade the seven-time All-Star.
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a call during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Moda Center on March 14, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The New York Knicks won 123-107. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Goodwin later confirmed his client’s desires when speaking to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson. He stated, “I do what I should for my client. Some teams I did call. Other teams have called me. It’s a respectful relationship with most teams. Truthfully, he wants to play in Miami. Period.” This statement makes it clear that Lillard’s preference is to play for the Miami Heat.
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates as he points to his wrist after scoring a three-pot basket in the closing seconds of the game against Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Goodwin also mentioned that he had advised Blazers general manager Joe Cronin to have a “meaningful negotiation” with the Heat. This is seen as a move to facilitate Lillard’s move to his preferred team. However, Wojnarowski noted that this is a “time-honored agent maneuver” designed to suppress the trade market for a player to get them to a predetermined destination. He also mentioned that general managers he spoke with said it “won’t impact how they’ll proceed” as they explore talks with the Blazers for Lillard.
Lillard’s Trade Request and Potential Destinations
PORTLAND, OREGON – APRIL 09: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the third quarter against the Golden State Warriors at Moda Center on April 09, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Following Portland general manager Joe Cronin’s confirmation on July 1 that Lillard has requested a trade, Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium reported that Lillard is “specifically” seeking to play for the Heat. However, if things don’t work out with Miami, the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Utah Jazz could be of interest to Lillard, according to The Athletic’s Sam Amick.
NBA News: The Obstacle for Miami Heat
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 24: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers watches from the bench. During the second half against the Chicago Bulls at Moda Center on March 24, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)
The biggest obstacle that appears to be facing the Heat is a lack of appealing trade assets for the Blazers. Wojnarowski mentioned earlier this week on SportsCenter that Portland is “not impressed” with Miami’s offer. Particularly, because the Blazers aren’t interested in Tyler Herro as they already have Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson as backcourt options.
The Blazers’ Perspective
From the Blazers’ perspective, they are “going to do what’s best for the team.” The team is looking to build a championship-caliber roster. Trading a franchise icon like Lillard makes it easy to understand why the Trail Blazers would want to maximize their return. However, they made things more difficult for themselves by extending his contract last summer.
Lillard’s Contract and Value
Lillard is signed for the next three years. The player also has a $63.2 million player option for the 2026-27 season when he will be 36. Teams could be more reluctant to give up significant future assets for a player at this stage of Lillard’s career and with that contract. Despite this, Lillard remains an incredibly valuable player. The main reason is that he is coming off a season in which he averaged a career-high 32.2 points per game in 58 starts.
In conclusion, the Damian Lillard trade saga is a complex one, with multiple parties involved and various interests at stake. It remains to be seen how this situation will unfold and where Lillard will eventually end up.
The Damian Lillard saga continues. While the Blazers have asked teams to send their “best offers”, Lillard’s agent has been warning teams not to make offers for the star. According to his agent, teams who are not the Miami Heat will be receiving an “unhappy” version of Lillard who will not be playing his best basketball.
However, Lillard’s camp are also in a tough position. Despite the influence that comes with his longevity with the club, he has very little power in the trade discussions. Lillard is under contract for two years, having already exercised his player option for 2024-25. The 2023/24 season is still months away, meaning that there is very little threat of Lillard sitting out games. Furthermore, Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. This means that he gets absolutely no say in where he’s heading either.
Stephen A Says Lillard Has Earned The Right To Dictate Trade
“Why the hell should he go some place he don’t want to go?”@stephenasmith has no problem with the report that Dame would be unhappy if traded to somewhere besides Miami pic.twitter.com/H01npzNecS
“Damian Lillard has earned the right to want out,” Smith began. “More importantly, a player of his caliber has earned the right to go where he wants to go. And if people are gonna open their mouth and sit up and say ‘Well hey, if you’re gonna give the impression that you’re not going to be happy.’ Well listen, they’re probably not lying but so what? Why should he go some place where he’s not going to be happy? Listen, he is good in Portland. He wanted them to be a better franchise. He wanted them to win, he wanted them to put the pieces in place. In Portland, you’re not going to be able to go out there and recruit marquee free agents. Since you can’t get anyone to come there, you’re going to have to go elsewhere.”
It’s a sentiment echoed by many fans and figures around the league. Lillard put his heart into playing his best basketball in Portland. He ends his time in Portland as a seven-time all-star and averaging 25.2 points per game. Furthermore, he comes off the best season of his career. He scored 32.2 points per game, third in the league. However, the Blazers need to try and save face, not acquiescing to the demands of their star player. Despite this, it seems that we are nowhere near a conclusion to this trade. Where do you think Dame will end up? Let us know in the comments. Follow all the latest sports news here at HotNewHipHop.
The Portland Trail Blazers have issued a very clear message to teams interested in Damian Lillard. According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Blazers are starting to get serious about moving Lillard. “For teams calling about trading for Damian Lillard, the message from the Portland Trail Blazers has been unambiguous: Bring your best offer and make your team our preferred trade destination,” writes Wojnarowski. “General manager Joe Cronin doesn’t plan to operate a transfer portal to the Miami Heat and dutifully deliver history’s greatest Blazer to his targeted team.”
Despite wielding a lot of influence with the Blazers, Damian Lillard has very little tangible power when it comes to this trade. Sure, he can request a trade, but the Blazers hold all the cards that come with that. Lillard is under contract for two years, having already exercised his player option for 2024-25. The 2023/24 season is still months away, meaning that there is very little threat of Lillard sitting out games. Furthermore, Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract. This means that he gets absolutely no say in where he’s heading either. However, Lillard has made it very clear that his preference is the Miami Heat.
Lillard’s Agent Adds To Drama
PORTLAND, OREGON – MARCH 14: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts to a call during the third quarter against the New York Knicks at Moda Center on March 14, 2023 in Portland, Oregon. The New York Knicks won 123-107. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
However, there may be an additional angle to all of this stemming from Dame’s camp. In the same ESPN+ article in which Woj revealed the Blazers’ message, the veteran reporter also dropped another bomb. Dame’s agent, Aaron Gordon, has reportedly been attempting to engineer a trade to Miami. According to Woj, Gordon has been “calling prospective trade partners” and “warning against trading for his client”. Woj continues that Gordon has told teams that they will be getting an “unhappy” version of Dame if he isn’t traded to the Heat.
So why won’t the Blazers simply trade Lillard to Miami? Firstly, it’s about saving face for the organization. They have royally screwed the Lillard situation, failing to build anything resembling a contender around their generational talent. As a result of this, the Blazers can’t simply acquiesce to Lillard’s preferred trade partner without looking powerless. Furthermore, the Heat are very eager to include Tyler Herro in a deal for Lillard. Unfortunately, the Blazers have absolutely no interest in acquiring Herro. That means Miami would need to find a third team to trade with and build a three-team package the Blazers would actually want. Regardless, it doesn’t look like the Lillard situation is getting resolved anytime soon.
