Damian Lillard has been methodical while deciding whether or not he wanted to remain in Portland, but that still wasn’t enough for some fans.
After news broke that Lillard had asked the Trail Blazers to send him elsewhere after years of loyal service, it still wasn’t enough for the veteran point guard to get by unscathed from angry fans on social media.
And Lillard answered back on Sunday.
“It’s in my blood to take the high road. I’d love to hear what fans are turning on… have I misled them? Or anyone? Fill me in,” Lillard tweeted.
The seven-time NBA All-Star had taken his time in deciding what his future in the Rose City held and after the Trail Blazers had an uneventful opening day of free agency, Lillard asked for a trade.
The Miami Heat are reportedly Lillard’s desired destination, though ESPN reported the Portland is open for business to other teams.
Lillard spent his entire career with the Trail Blazers and expressed a desire to remain there if the team could bring in talent to make it a contender next season.
Despite his commitment to the organization over his career, it seems that it didn’t shield him from some criticism over his decision to request a trade.
At 32, Lillard is interested in competing for an NBA title and was coming off the best season of his career in 2022-23.
He averaged 32.2 points per game, along with 7.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds.
Lillard seems inclined to want to go to South Beach and play for the Heat, but a deal there won’t be simple and the Trail Blazers won’t send him there unless the right package presents itself, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
“The Blazers front office, their organization, they made it clear to teams who called yesterday about Damian Lillard that they are open for business everywhere in the league on him,” Wojnarowski said during an appearance on SportsCenter on Sunday.
