Damian Lillard Comments on Potentially Joining Golden State Warriors
Count out a potential superteam homecoming to Oakland, California, for Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard.
Asked Wednesday whether he'd ever join his hometown squad, the Golden State Warriors, Lillard had an emphatic, borderline NSFW response on Twitter (h/t CBSSports.com's James Herbert):
Another Twitter user replied to Lillard and said, "In that case [you're] losing in the playoffs the next 10 years." Lillard simply responded, "Welp."
Lillard's succinct retort encapsulates the no-win situation he and other NBA stars are in when it comes to the public perception of joining superteams or deciding to stay put.
Golden State added Kevin Durant in free agency this offseason and figures to back up last year's record 73-win campaign with a similarly phenomenal display. But Durant is being criticized for leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder after nine seasons and zero championships.
Lillard is at an earlier stage of his career than Durant, preparing for his fifth year as a pro in 2016-17. He's also under a max contract with the Blazers through the 2020-21 season, per Herbert, so there's little chance he's going anywhere anyway.
If he does fail to hoist the Larry O'Brien Trophy by the time his contract expires, perhaps Lillard will feel differently about joining forces with a superior squad or even returning to his birthplace of Oakland.
There are too many factors in play to determine what Lillard will do in his far-off crack at the open market. For now, Portland is building a team around him, and he has a viable backcourt mate in reigning Most Improved Player C.J. McCollum to complement him.
The Blazers also acquired Evan Turner this offseason to bolster the rotation on the wing, providing Lillard with another ball-handler in the lineup so he can work off the ball, score and create even more offense from the perimeter.
Until and unless another legitimate star joins Lillard and McCollum in Portland, though, the Blazers will have a serious challenge to eclipse the Warriors in the West.
