REPORT: ‘No Enthusiasm’ Among Portland GM Candidates to Give Damian Lillard Extension
It’s been a tumultuous season for the Portland Trail Blazers, and reports indicate that Damian Lillard‘s days with the organization may be numbered.
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Lillard wants a two-year $107 million extension this summer. Still, potential candidates for the Blazers open general manager position are reluctant to give it to him.
“Among several top-level GM candidates who fit the profile of Portland’s applicant pool, there’s no enthusiasm to grant Lillard his massive extension contract through the 2026-27 season,” Wojnarowski reports.
Wojnarowski reports that several candidates for the Blazers general manager position would be more interested in the job if they were able to trade Lillard instead of extending him.
“In fact, several executives told ESPN they would be far more interested in the Blazers job with ownership’s blessing to move Lillard sooner than later,” Woj said.
The Blazers’ front office is in turmoil after firing long-time general manager and president of basketball operations Neil Olshey after an internal investigation into him creating a hostile work environment on Friday. Portland promoted Joe Cronin to interim general manager after ousting Olshey last week.
Were Lillard to depart the Blazers, it would be the end of an era. Lillard has played in 702 career games, all for Portland has been named to six All-Star teams, six All-NBA teams, and was a member of the NBA’s 75th-anniversary team.
Over his 10-year career, Lillard has averaged 24.6 points and 6.7 assists per game.
