Damian Lillard’s future in Portland continues to hang in the balance as the Trail Blazers work to navigate a trade for the superstar point guard.
With the Heat well reported to be Lillard’s preferred destination, one ESPN insider indicated that the 32-year-old would also have welcomed a trade to the Warriors.
During an appearance on the Bay Area radio show Willard and Dibs, Ramona Shelburne indicated that, had Golden State not traded for Chris Paul, it could potentially have landed Lillard, claiming she “knows he was interested.”
“They could have waited for Dame,” said Shelburne. “Dame is from the Bay Area. I know he was interested. If he got to the point where he was going to ask for a trade and a list was given [to the organization], the Warriors would have been on that list.”
While Shelburne indicated the Warriors could have waited around and tried to swing a trade for Lillard, there’s no guarantee they’d be successful in their pursuit of the seven-time All-Star. That’s especially true considering Lillard has reportedly stated that he doesn’t want to join a team with multiple superstars.
Paul, who turned 38 in May, signed a four-year, $120 million deal with the Suns in 2021 and is due to make $30.8 million in ’23–24. The final year of his contract (’24–25) is not guaranteed.
Lillard, on the other hand, is due to make $45.6 million in 2023–24 and will earn $48.8 million in ’24–25.
