Where Could Damien Lillard End Up Next Season?
Damien Lillard Next Team Odds
Here are the teams favored to land Damien Lillard according to DraftKings Sportsbook, (click on the odds to bet).
With the NBA Draft completed and Chris Paul now with the Golden State Warriors, the NBA offseason drama focus shifts to Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.
Lillard and the Trail Blazers remain in a precarious position. At this point in his career, the 32-year old Lillard wants to contend for a championship.
But Portland’s current roster doesn’t appear as if it’s ready to seriously compete for a title. The Trail Blazers currently have some of the longest odds in the futures betting market, with Portland at +12000 to win it all on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian reported Lillard wasn’t pleased the team didn’t trade the No. 3 pick in the draft for more assets to help the team improve. Fentress also notes his sources believe the team remains on solid ground with Lillard.
What do the Sportsbooks Say About Damien Lillard?
With so much uncertainty surrounding Lillard and the Trail Blazers, NBA betting markets have already opened up about what team he could be playing for in the 2023-24 season.
Damien Lillard Return to Portland Remains Possible
The Trail Blazers remain the favorites to retain Lillard, and as it stands now, the front office is looking to run it back with the seven-time all-star. General manager Joe Cronin met with Lillard and his agent on Monday to discuss the team’s direction going forward.
“I met with Dame and (agent) Aaron Goodwin this afternoon,” Cronin said in a statement. “We had a great dialogue. We remain committed to building a winner around Dame.”
Reiterating the front office’s desire to be competitive this season is important considering reports are Lillard rather have seen the team trade the No. 3 pick in the draft for a veteran star. But with free agency starting on Friday, Portland could still improve the team’s roster with new additions.
The Trail Blazers were reportedly in talks with the Toronto Raptors for Pascal Siakam and the New Orleans Pelicans for Zion Willamson, but the teams could not come to an agreement revolving around a trade package including Portland’s No. 3 pick. Portland would go on to select guard Scoot Henderson, who plays the same position as Lillard.
Miami Heat, Brooklyn Nets Possible Damien Lillard Destinations
Behind the Trail Blazers, the Miami Heat is the next feasible option to land Lillard on the betting board. The Heat have proved they are in the market for a scorer after they were linked to Washington’s Bradley Beal before he was traded to the Phoenix Suns.
Sam Amick of The Athletic has reported Lillard has “serious interest” in joining the Heat. Lillard’s 32.2 points per game last season would give Miami another elite scorer alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Lillard said on Showtime’s The Last Stand with Brian Custer that he would be interested in playing with Adebyao, who is one of his close friends.
“Miami is the obvious one,” he said. “Bam is my dog for real.”
Another team Lillard is considering is the Brooklyn Nets. Again, he cites another key friendship on Brooklyn’s roster that makes the move there appealing.
“Brooklyn is another obvious one because Mikal Bridges is my dog, too,” Lillard said. “I mean, both teams have capable rosters."
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