PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Damian Lillard Formally Requests Trade

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Damian Lillard has formally submitted a trade request to the Portland Trail Blazers, per ESPN. Lillard, who was drafted sixth overall by the Blazers in 2012, has reportedly grown increasingly unhappy with the direction of the franchise. Despite Portland making the playoffs every year between 2014 and 2021, five of those runs ended in the first round. Furthermore, the Blazers have missed the playoffs in the last two seasons, tallying just 60 total wins in that time.

Lillard openly flirted with a trade earlier in the offseason. He told The Last Stand that if he was traded, his preferred destination would be the Miami Heat. Eager to keep Lillard in Portland, the Blazers were reportedly willing to trade away the third-overall pick in the 2023 Draft for an elite veteran. That did not come to pass and the Blazers instead drafted highly-touted prospect Scoot Henderson. While Lillard said he was willing to wait and see what the Blazers did in free agency, it appears that he has now made up his mind.

Blazers Expected To Honor Lillard Trade Request

Lillard’s trade request is now official. The Heat, Clippers, and Sixers are all expected to be primary suitors for his services. However, a source reiterated to Marc J. Spears that the Heat remained Lillard’s personal preference. Furthermore, the Blazers are expected to honor Lillard’s request for a change of scenery. This is despite Lillard being under contract for the next two seasons. This will likely see the Blazers build a young core around Jerami Grant. They gave the 29-year-old a 5-year, $160 million contract at the start of free agency.

According to ESPN Stats & Information, Lillard’s 32.2 points per game in 2022-23 will become the most by a player who changed teams the following season. Additionally, his production is likely to turn any contender into a title favorite. If he does head to Miami, he will be the final piece of a modern Heat Big 3 with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Meanwhile, he could join a potentially stacked roster in LA. Reportedly, the Clippers are already chasing a trade for James Harden. This is very much a developing story and we’ll have any updates here on HotNewHipHop.

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Kendrick Perkins Issues Challenge To Portland Trail Blazers

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Kendrick Perkins isn’t ready to wave the white flag for the Portland Trail Blazers. Portland had an abysmal 2022-23 campaign, resulting in a top pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. However, the current situation in the organization is to win now, not later. Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard has let his feelings be known on numerous occasions that the time to win is now. Because there may not be a later for Lillard in Portland. The NBA All-Star is on the fence about rejoining the team if there’s no plan to build a winner.

However, Perkins believes that the Trail Blazers can still accomplish that. In fact, the former Oklahoma City Thunder big man believes that the blueprint has already been created. “I’m challenging Chauncey Billups and Damian Lillard to gather the troops and go out there and do what the Kings and Heat did… Put the world on notice,” stated Perkins in an appearance on NBA Today. The Heat and Kings definitely shocked the NBA world this season. However, is the talent there for Portland?

Read More: Damian Lillard Reveals Future Plans With Portland Trail Blazers

Kendrick Perkins Sees A Winner In Portland

In the clip above, Perkins exclaims that the Trail Blazers already have the pieces to be a successful team next season. With Anfernee Simons and Scoot Henderson in the mix, a young core is there. Now it’s time for the organization to go out and win free agency. Also, the team is desperate to hang onto Lillard. Lillard is the final and biggest piece of the puzzle. However, without him, the team is far away from being considered a contender.

Perkins also mentioned that Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups needs to lead the charge. Billups knows what it’s like to be a part of a winner. The Portland head man won an NBA title during his time with the Detroit Pistons. A team that was built through free agency and making great draft selections. Not every team is a desirable location to superstars looking for a new home. However, Portland has some intriguing pieces that should have players in free agency, giving them a look. Do you believe Portland can build a winner? Let us know in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Read More: Damian Lillard Reveals Which Team He Wouldn’t Mind Being Traded To

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Damian Lillard Reveals Future Plans With Portland Trail Blazers

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Damian Lillard has the entire NBA world in the palm of his hands. The Portland Trail Blazers star is the key piece to many potential moves this off-season. For the last few years, it has felt like Lillard and the Trail Blazers would inevitably part. However, Lillard has remained loyal to the franchise his entire career. But it now seems like time is ticking. The all-star guard is now wondering how much time he has left to win an NBA title. Or if he can even do it in Portland?

On Monday, it was reported that Lillard met with the organization to discuss his future. Would he be looking to build a contender in Portland? Or would he finally be requesting a trade from the team he has been so fiercely loyal to? According to ESPN‘s Brian Windhorst, Lillard did not ask for a trade during the meeting. Instead, it is being reported that Lillard wants to wait and see what the franchise does during free agency.

Read More: Damian Lillard Reveals Which Team He Wouldn’t Mind Being Traded To

Damian Lillard Weighing All Options

While time may be of the essence, Lillard plans to wait around a little longer. The Weber State product has made no secret of what his intentions are for the upcoming season. Lillard has stated over and over again that he wants a veteran-heavy team. However, it seems the franchise looks to be in the middle of another rebuild. The Trail Blazers selected Scoot Henderson with their first-round pick in the NBA Draft earlier this month. However, young talent alone will not be enough to keep Lillard in town.

So, long story short, Lillard continues to be patient with his future. Any move the superstar makes will be looked at under a microscope. If he stays, people will question if he really wants a shot at a title. If he leaves, others will claim he’s just another sell-out trying to create the next superteam. What do you think Damian Lillard should do? Let us know in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Read More: Damian Lillard Net Worth 2023: What Is The NBA Star Worth?

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Portland Trail Blazers G-League Affiliate Announced

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The Portland Trail Blazers have been the topic of discussion many times this summer. However, those discussions aren’t always good. The franchise seems to be at a crossroads with superstar Damian Lillard on the future. Lillard has long stayed loyal to the franchise in hopes of bringing a championship to the city. But sadly, the franchise has been unable to build a strong enough team around Lillard to finish the job. But that discussion can be saved for another day. There’s good news coming out of Portland today.

On Monday, the NBA announced that the Trail Blazers will officially have a G-League affiliate this upcoming season. The Rip City Remix will be the official name of the organization. The NBA has seen massive growth in its developmental league. Including a G-League star being drafted third overall in Scoot Henderson. As fate would have it, Henderson was selected by the Trail Blazers with that pick. Check out the logo and team colors of the new G-League franchise below.

Read More: The 2023 NBA Draft Was Pure Chaos

Rip City Remix Taking Portland By Storm

With the introduction of NIL, the landscape of college athletics has changed forever. However, athletes looking to make it in the NBA have an alternate path instead of college. The G-League has shown steady growth over the years. Including more and more NBA teams getting affiliated teams for their franchise. Henderson going in the Top 5 of this year’s draft could be an eye-opening lesson for those looking to take the G-League route.

Undoubtedly the G-League is good for the NBA. Having a minor league system has already proven to be good for players already in the league but not quite ready to be a part of their franchise. The MLB has long been successful with the minor leagues. As the NFL is starting to use leagues like the XFL and USFL as their own minor league systems. The Trail Blazers will now have a place to keep young talent that is hungry to make the main roster. Do you see the G-League becoming more successful than college basketball? Let us know in the comment section. For the latest news in sports, keep it right here with HNHH.

Read More: Drake Follows Toronto Raptors Rookie On Instagram After Shout Out At NBA Draft

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Paul George Trade Appears Unlikely

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In the lead-up to the NBA Draft, one of the rumored trades surrounds Clippers veteran Paul George. According to March Stein, the Clippers have been gauging interest in George’s services. The veteran forward has been with the Clippers since 2019 and has a player option year in 2024/25.

“League sources tell The Stein Line that the LA Clippers have left various rival teams with the impression through their Draft Week conversations that they are, at a minimum, attempting to gauge Paul George’s trade value and, to hear some describe it, giving real consideration to the idea of disassembling the Kawhi Leonard/George tandem,” Stein reported.

Furthermore, Stein identified the Portland Trail Blazers and Houston Rockets as potential suitors. Both teams are in search of veteran talent. Furthermore, they have been reportedly willing to part with their high draft picks to acquire George. However, these trades, and other potential moves, appear to be in doubt.

Related: Paul George doesn’t want the Rockets to pursue James Harden

Clippers Not Moved By Current Offers

Reportedly, the Clippers have received several offers for George from around the league. According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, the Blazers had an offer featuring the third-overall pick rejected. Meanwhile, Ian Bagley of SNY reported that the Knicks had made contact with LA about George. However, talks did not progress very far.

Furthermore, the Clippers were briefly involved in a failed trade for the Celtics’ Malcolm Brogdon. However, Brogdon’s injury history nixed the deal. While the Clippers could still make a move, it appears that their gauging of George’s value did not yield the results they were hoping for.

As a result, the Knicks will look to run it back with a team anchored by their tandem of George and Kawhi Leonard. Since George and Leonard joined the team in 2019, the team has had minimal success. After reaching the Western Conference Finals in 2021, the team missed the playoffs in 2022 and were eliminated in the first round in 2023.

Related: Boston Celtics snag Kristaps Porziņģis in three-team deal with Wizards, Grizzlies

Zion Williamson Also Unlikely To Be Traded

Zion Williamson playing for the New Orleans Pelicans
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA – JANUARY 02: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans shoots during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center on January 02, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

Another player who has been linked with a move but will likely stay with his current team is Zion Williamson. The young New Orleans Pelicans star, who is currently in the midst of an infidelity scandal, has been linked with a potential move away from New Orleans.

One potential trade partner was the Charlotte Hornets. This would have sent Williamson to Charlotte in exchange for the second-overall pick in the draft. These rumors were based on the idea that the Pelicans were especially keen on the highly-touted prospect Scoot Henderson.

“Zion getting traded before Thursday’s draft is fairly unlikely [according to] multiple league sources” reported The Athletic. “The Pelicans have yet to even include Williamson in any formal offers made to the teams holding top-3 picks, league sources tell The Athletic. There have been varying reports about how much interest Charlotte or Portland would even have in shipping off the No. 2 or No. 3 picks in a potential Williamson trade.”

Related: Moriah Mills speaks out about Zion Williamson in the live chat of The Stephen A. Smith Show

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Paul George Trade Rumors Surface

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June 18 saw the first blockbuster trade of the NBA offseason take place. Amid rumors that Zion Williamson and Damian Lillard may be on the move, it was the Washington Wizards who fired the first shot. Veteran guard Bradley Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns for a package of players and picks. However, that trade may have been the first drops of water that break the proverbial dam in the coming weeks.

Paul George has played for the Clippers since 2019. After spending the first 7 years of his career with the Pacers, George had a brief stint in OKC before being traded to LA. George is an eight-time all-star, most recently this year. This season, the Clippers secured the Western Conference fifth-seed but suffered a first-round exit to the Suns. Now, George could be on the move.

Clippers Gauge Paul George Trade Value

Per NBA insider Marc Stein, the Clippers have been investigating what a potential trade for George could net them. “League sources tell The Stein Line that the LA Clippers have left various rival teams with the impression through their Draft Week conversations that they are, at a minimum, attempting to gauge Paul George’s trade value and, to hear some describe it, giving real consideration to the idea of disassembling the Kawhi Leonard/George tandem,” Stein reported in his pay-walled newsletter.

Additionally, Stein reports that two teams with high draft picks have been “identified as potential trade partners.” First, there is the Portland Trail Blazers. Holding the #3 pick in this week’s draft, the Blazers have made it no secret that they are willing to trade their pick away to build an immediate contender around Damian Lillard. Also in the mix is the Houston Rockets, who hold the #4 pick. The Rockets are eager to find a veteran leader for their young rebuild. However, they have also been heavily linked to a possible reunion with James Harden. With Geroge on a player option at the end of the season and the draft just days away, expect these rumors to heat up quickly. Follow all the latest NBA trade rumors here at HotNewHipHop.

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Bam Adebayo Trade Packaged Reportedly Being Eyed By Blazers

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Bam Adebayo was an amazing player for the Miami Heat this season. In fact, he was one of the reasons why the team was able to get all the way to the NBA Finals. Although they ended up losing out in the end, there is no denying that Adebayo and Jimmy Butler are an incredible duo. At this point, fans are just excited to see what he can do in the future. This is especially true as the Heat are rumored to be looking at a ton of options, including the likes of Damian Lillard.

Speaking of the Portland Trail Blazers, the team is trying to improve. Lillard never seems to make up his mind on whether or not he wants to be traded. Consequently, the Blazers are looking to trade the third overall pick to acquire a player that can pair nicely with Dame. One of those players is none other than Bam Adebayo. As Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports reports, the Blazers are reportedly coming up with a package for Bam. However, the Heat are extremely unlikely to accept.

Bam Adebayo To Portland?

“Miami brass seems very unlikely to consider any Portland overture that doesn’t include standout rookie Shaedon Sharpe, in addition to a package of the No. 3 pick and Anfernee Simons that the Blazers, sources said, have made available in discussions with other teams,” Fischer reported. Needless to say, Bam Adebayo is not going to the Blazers. Instead, it is more likely that Dame ends up in Miami and Adebayo stays put. The Heat are one piece away from really becoming a title favorite. Dame would put them over the edge.

Overall, the Blazers appear to be in a very bad way at this point. They simply can’t get anything done correctly right now. Dame has had his career wasted and some fans are starting to get extremely frustrated. Moreover, their inability to just blow things up and start fresh has been nothing short of aggravating to watch. Let us know what you think of the Blazers strategy, down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from around the music world.

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Damian Lillard Instagram Post Fuels Trade Speculation

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Is Damian Lillard on the way out in Portland? That appears to be the growing consensus. The team is stuck in a rebuilding phase and Lillard is not getting any younger. As a result, Lillard’s patience with the team that drafted him might be wearing out. In fact, he’s been bold enough to openly discuss trade destinations in recent days.

When asked which of the many teams he would rather be traded to, Lillard’s answer was very clear. “Miami, obviously,” came his candid answer while appearing on The Last Stand. Furthermore, Lillard alluded to his close friendship with current Heat star Bam Adebayo in the same interview. Now it appears that Lillard is taking the rumors to the next level.

Lillard Appears To Allude To A Move

 

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

A post shared by Damian Lillard (@damianlillard)

On June 8, Lillard took to his Instagram page and posted an image of himself tapping his wrist in the universally recognized “time’s up” symbol. Many have taken this to me that Lillard wants out of Portland sooner rather than later. The question is whether the Blazers will let him walk. Despite being 32, Lillard is still a highly productive player and will demand a high compensation package. This is exacerbated by the fact that Lillard has already exercised the player option year for the 2024/25 season. This means a trade will guarantee two years of Lillard for the receiving team. However, Lillard is under trade restriction until July 9.

As previously mentioned, it’s unclear if the Blazers will be willing to trade Lillard. Previous rumors have suggested that the Blazers want to go all in. There is apparently a strong desire to win a championship with Lillard while he is still in Portland. Reports indicate that the Blazers were willing to trade the third-overall pick in the upcoming draft for an elite small forward. “The Trail Blazers, who currently own the pick, will seek to trade out of the third position rather than select another young player. With Portland in “win it for Dame” mode and the Blazers desperate for playable wings (even presuming they re-sign Jerami Grant), speculation is already widespread that a package of the third pick and Anfernee Simons might be used to snag an elite small forward,” wrote John Hollinger of The Athletic.

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Stephen A. Smith Encourages Damian Lillard To Leave Portland

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Damian Lillard has been the cornerstone of the Portland Trail Blazers for over a decade. A rare four-year collegiate player, Lillard was drafted sixth overall out of Weber State in 2012. He has since gone on to become a seven-time all-star, seven-time All-NBAer, and Rookie of the Year in 2013.

This past season, Lillard put up the third-most points per game (32.2) in the NBA. Furthermore, he was tenth in assists per game (7.3). Despite this, the Blazers missed the playoffs for the second consecutive season, going 33-49. However, the Blazers are reportedly in a “win now for Lillard” mode. This includes going as far as to indicate that the third-overall pick in the NBA draft is up for grabs. Also up for grabs? Damian Lillard. Rumors are steadily increasing that the Blazers could trade Lillard, with the star himself indicating that he wouldn’t mind a trade to Miami.

Smith Supports Lillard Leaving Portland

Speaking on First Take on June 7, Stephen A. Smith revealed he was all in on Lillard getting out of Portland. “I have been BEGGING Damian Lillard to get the hell out of Portland. … He’s not winning in Portland. It will not happen,” Smith said during a three-minute monologue on the topic. Furthermore, Smith revealed that he had advocated for Lillard and former Blazer CJ McCollum to both get out of Portland for many years. McCollum, also appearing on the show, also gave his thoughts about the situation. “The market will dictate what happens here. … If I was a betting man, I would say this is the last that we’ve seen of him [in Portland],” he said.

It’s a damning, yet fair, indictment of the situation in Portland. In Lillard’s tenure with the team, they have made the Western Conference Finals once (2019). Beyond that run, they have made the Conference Semifinals two other times (2014, 2016). However, they are simply not a championship-caliber team and it would take the moon, their stock of future draft picks, and a healthy dose of luck to build a one-and-done championship machine. Regardless, what do you think – should Lillard get out of Portland? Let us know in the comments.

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Portland Trail Blazers Could Trade Third-Overall Pick

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It was another season to forget for the Portland Trail Blazers as they missed the playoffs for a second consecutive year. While the Damian Lillard-led team improved by six wins from the previous season, they still finished 33-49. The Trail Blazers team that reached the Western Conference Finals in 2019 feels so, so long go.

However, they earned a crucial rebuilding piece last week when the NBA Draft Lottery granted them the third-overall pick. While much of the focus of the NBA Draft has been presumptive first-overall pick Victor Wembanyama, this year’s class is incredibly deep. Players like Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller could also be franchise-altering. Despite this, there are rumors that the Blazers might not stay at #3.

Blazers Could Trade #3 Pick For “Elite” Small Forward

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – APRIL 02: Kevin Knox II #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers goes to the basket for a slam dunk against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second quarter of the game at Target Center on April 2, 2023 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)

There is a lot of debate about what could happen after the San Antonio Spurs presumably take Wembanyama first overall. In particular, the Blazers don’t appear to be ready to accept their fate as a rebuilding team just yet. This news comes from The Athletic‘s John Hollinger. Hollinger’s reporting contradicts news from other sources, such as ESPN‘s Jonathan Givony.

The Trail Blazers, who currently own the pick, will seek to trade out of the third position rather than select another young player. With Portland in “win it for Dame” mode and the Blazers desperate for playable wings (even presuming they re-sign Jerami Grant), speculation is already widespread that a package of the third pick and Anfernee Simons might be used to snag an elite small forward.

John Hollinger, The Athletic

So who counts as an elite small forward in the eyes of the Blazers? There is only a small group of small forwards who could be considered “elite”. While that position includes the likes of LeBron, Durant, Kawhi, and Paul George, all these players come with baggage. Whether it’s age, injury history, or a poison pill contract, they simply aren’t worth the #3 pick. “All in for Dame” is not enough for a year of LeBron or a risk on an injured player. The same goes for the likes of Jimmy Butler and Jayson Tatum, who are elite but unlikely to be moved by their current teams as they are actively franchise keystones. So who does that leave? The Blazers could potentially move to trade for the likes of Andrew Wiggins, Brandon Ingram, or DeMar DeRozan. However, maybe it’s time for the Blazers to accept their fate and rebuild with their best draft position since 2007.

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