Damian Lillard: Russell Westbrook Is Proof 'Grass Isn't Always Greener' for NBA Stars

Damian Lillard has heard the calls from fans wanting him to leave Portland and start anew with a franchise where he can win a championship.

To this point, though, he's blocked out the noise and stayed committed to the Blazers.

Speaking to Baxter Holmes of ESPN, Lillard said he's taken lessons learned from other players who have left their longtime franchises and failed to find championship glory they were seeking.

"I look at the NBA," Lillard said. "I just look at how many guys that had a great thing going and then the outside noise creeps in and, even if it's just a little bit, has some influence on the decision that they make and then nobody lives with those consequences but them. And then it ends up not working out. You look at somebody like Kevin Garnett. He did it, and it worked out. But he's an outlier.

"But then you look at Russell Westbrook. You leave OKC for Houston, then James [Harden] decided he's leaving, now Russ is traded to D.C., then you get traded from D.C. to the Lakers, now you're on your fourth team in four years and in your second year on the team, everybody is talking about how they should trade you. Now you're coming off the bench. This dude is a Hall of Famer, an MVP. It's an example that the grass isn't always greener."

Lillard is in his 11th season with the Blazers after being selected in the first round of the 2012 draft. Portland has gotten past the second round just once in his career and has never made the NBA Finals—all while Lillard has built a bona fide Hall of Fame résumé.

The failure of the Blazers to build a winner around Lillard has led to near-constant rumors about his being the next superstar to force his way to a better situation. Lillard has instead balked at the calls from fans and pundits, re-upping with Portland and consistently saying he plans to play his entire career with the franchise.

While Lillard pointed out Westbrook's struggles since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder, it's not exactly fair to say superstars who depart their longtime teams regularly fail. LeBron James won championships both times he left the Cleveland Cavaliers—and the time he came back to the franchise after four years with the Miami Heat. Kevin Durant found immediate success with the Golden State Warriors after exiting Oklahoma City. Anthony Davis forced a trade from the New Orleans Pelicans to the Los Angeles Lakers and earned his first ring.

In the modern NBA, players leave teams and find success all the time. While there are plenty of examples of players who failed, it's fair to point out Lillard's best shot to win a title while still in his prime is outside of Portland.