Damian Lillard Says 'Needle-Movers' Want to Join Blazers, Talks Urgency to Win

If the Portland Trail Blazers want to build a future with seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard, the clock is officially ticking.

After the Trail Blazers' regular-season finale, a 157-101 beatdown at the hands of the Golden State Warriors, the star point guard expressed his frustration with the talent on the team.

"I don't have much of an appetite for building with guys two and three years away and not really go after it," Lillard said, according to Sean Highkin of the Rose Garden Report.

The Blazers finished the regular season with a 33-49 record, 13th in the Western Conference.

Lillard has been applauded for his loyalty to Portland in the past and also noted that he believes the organization is overall on the same page with his desires.

The Trail Blazers finished 26th in the NBA and have a 10.5 percent chance at landing the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NBA entry draft. The likely top selection will be Victor Wembanyama, who has been referred to as a generational talent.

Portland is also projected to have $21.3 million in practical cap space going into the offseason, so this should provide some room to work with in improving the roster. Some projected unrestricted free agents for the upcoming summer include Kevin Love, Kyrie Irving and D'Angelo Russell.

Lillard is able to be traded after July 9, with him under contract until 2027.