The Knicks will be looking to take the next step after a surprising run to the playoffs this season, and the most direct route to the team’s desired evolution may be the acquisition of a superstar that has eluded them in years past.
This offseason, the prime superstar candidate could be Portland point guard Damian Lillard, who is reportedly unhappy with his team’s direction after another early playoff exit that has led to a coaching staff change. The Knicks, loaded with draft picks while also holding young talent, would be in a strong position to make a move for Lillard if he were to become available, but that would only happen if Lillard makes it clear that he wants out of Portland.
If he has had that discussion with the Blazers front office, Lillard isn’t saying anything about it publicly, or if he is truly looking for a change of scenery or not.
“At this point, it’s a lot of things being said, sometimes words being put in my mouth, and I haven’t said anything,” Lillard told reporters on Thursday as he prepared to represent Team USA in the Tokyo Olympics. “I think, it should be all of the people who’ve covered me since I’ve been in the NBA, they know that if there’s something to be said or if I think something or have something to say, I’m going to say it and I’m going to stand on it. Like I said, it’s been a lot of talk and nobody’s heard me say any of these things.”
Lillard was reportedly growing frustrated with Portland’s lack of help around him prior to the team’s first-round exit this postseason, prompting the team to hire Chauncey Billups, a move Lillard reportedly backed before learning of Billups’ sexual assault allegation from 1997. Lillard complimented Billups on Thursday, but didn’t rave about the hire by any means.
As for wanting out of Portland or not, Lillard’s first public comments since Billups’ hiring didn’t suggest he definitely wants to be traded, but didn’t shut down the speculation either.
“Anything that I have to say, I’ m going to say it directly to [Blazers GM Neil Olshey] and I’m going to address it directly with my team,” Lillard said. “I don’t really have nothing to say to you guys about it. Everything that I need to say and that I feel has been said to Neil. So, there’s really nothing else that I have to say about it.”
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