With training camps set to open later this month across the NBA, one major domino has yet to fall.
Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard, who requested a trade earlier this offseason, remains in Portland despite his hopes of being dealt to the the Heat. According to a new report from Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian, Lillard will honor his contract and report to training camp for whatever team he is on at the time. Fentress’s report conflicts with a report from by Shams Charania of The Athletic, who wrote that the only two training camps that Lillard would be willing to report to would be Portland or Miami.
Earlier in the offseason, it was reported that Lillard would only report to training camp if he was traded to the Heat. That firm stance, per Fentress, was rescinded in July when the NBA investigated the trade talks. Lillard, through a statement to Fentress, said he would honor his contract by reporting to any team to which the Trail Blazers traded him. He would also report to Portland’s training camp if he is not traded.
There is no end in sight to the trade talks involving the 33-year-old Lillard, who is still owed $216 million on his current contract. Whether that’s in Portland or elsewhere remains to be seen.
