While the NBA world awaits word on a potential Damian Lillard trade, it appears the Blazers guard is prepping for the upcoming season, while also helping one of the nation’s top young prospects do the same.
Lillard, whose name has remained linked to a potential trade sending him to the Heat, was seen working with Kentucky prospect D.J. Wagner. The combo guard is widely-viewed as a five-star recruit in the 2023 class.
The video, posted by Kentucky writer Tristan Pharis, shows Lillard giving advice and displaying some techniques for the Wildcats freshman.
Kentucky freshman DJ Wagner training with 7-time NBA All-Star Damian Lillard in Portland.
— Tristan Pharis (@TristanUda) September 21, 2023
(IG/Coach Ern) pic.twitter.com/qjR46pdyCR
The point guard prospect out of Camden, N.J., has a family history of former NBA players. His father is Dajuan Wagner, who was the No. 6 pick in the 2002 NBA draft, while his grandfather, Milt Wagner, was a second-round selection in 1986.
If Wagner were to follow in his father and grandfather’s footsteps and play in the NBA, he’d become the first-ever third-generation NBA player.
Meanwhile, Lillard’s future remains a bit in limbo. With NBA training camps set to get underway in the coming days, the back-and-forth between Portland and the Heat, his preferred destination, has been an ongoing saga since earlier this summer.
According to The Athletic’s Shams Charania, Lillard would only report to training camp for two teams this season: the Blazers or Heat, though a separate report from Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian disputes that notion.
