Damian Lillard Rumors: Blazers Star 'Unequivocally' Hasn't Changed Mind on No. 3 Pick

Superstar guard Damian Lillard reportedly prefers that the Portland Trail Blazers make a splashy trade rather than use the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft to add a rookie.

Appearing Tuesday on Get Up, ESPN NBA insider Brian Windhorst said Lillard remains steadfast in his desire for the Blazers to bring in some veteran help:

"So I checked in on the Lillard side of things, about whether or not there had been a change of heart there, and I was told, unequivocally, 'No.' Dame does not want a youth movement, he wants to play with veterans, he wants the team to upgrade fast and immediately with veteran players that can help him now.

"So I would just say, there's some nuance here. They don't have to get veterans only by trading the No. 3 pick, they could do it other ways. Having said that, if the Blazers don't like what they're offered, and they use this pick on one of the young players, you're potentially causing a bit of an issue there with Dame Lillard, so keep an eye on that on Thursday night."

If Portland can't get a deal done and decides to make a pick at No. 3, forward Brandon Miller and guard Scoot Henderson are the likeliest selections.

Although Lillard has been the subject of trade rumors and speculation often in recent years, he has remained steadfast in his desire to stay in Portland and build a winner.

Lillard told Jason Quick of The Athletic in April that he wants "a chance to go for it" in Portland, and the No. 3 overall pick is clearly the best asset the Blazers have to use toward a potential trade for a superstar.

If the Blazers use the pick and don't make a trade, Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported that Lillard won't request a trade, although he would likely speak with management about the best course of action moving forward.

With Lillard leading the way, the Blazers were a playoff team for eight straight seasons from 2013 through 2021, but they only reached the Western Conference Finals once and never got any further.

Portland missed the playoffs each of the past two seasons, and perhaps the biggest reason why is the fact that Lillard missed all but 29 games due to injury in 2021-22, and missed 24 games last season.

However, the 32-year-old veteran remained supremely productive when healthy last season, averaging a career-high 32.2 points per game to go along with 7.3 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 4.2 three-pointers made, while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from beyond the arc.

The biggest issue for Lillard the past two seasons has been a lack of help, as Portland traded away some key contributors in C.J. McCollum, Gary Trent Jr., Norman Powell and Josh Hart.

Also, Jerami Grant is a free agent and could sign elsewhere this offseason after being third on the team last season with 20.7 points per game.

Anfernee Simons is the top supporting cast member in line to return after averaging 21.7 points per game last season, but it is clear that Portland needs more in order to contend for a playoff spot and ultimately a championship.

Miller and Henderson have star potential down the line, however, the Blazers may not have many prime years of Lillard left, and they may not have enough time to yet a draft pick develop.