The Trail Blazers will be undergoing major changes this offseason, and their superstar point guard may be included in that process as well.
It’s been floated that Damian Lillard wants to have input in the team’s head coaching search, and that he’s been interested in Chauncey Billups and Jason Kidd. The problem is that both guys have baggage, as Billups was once accused of rape, and Kidd arrested for spousal abuse in 2001.
Those off-the-court issues are why Lillard has been criticized for supporting them, which led to this tweetstorm.
It sure looks like Lillard is a bit upset with the Blazers fan base for criticizing him. This is a shift from how he was treated in the past, as they literally worshipped the ground he’s walked on since being drafted by the team in 2012.
An interesting report from Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports indicates that two factors could push Lillard “out the door.” It reads:
…His concerns on whether a championship contender can be built have become factors that may push the franchise player — Damian Lillard — out the door, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Lillard has remained loyal to Portland in large part due to the tremendous fan base. But over the last few days, he’s seen some of those same fans attacking him on social media for a pending coaching hire he played no part in consummating, sources said.
It’s been speculated that if the Trail Blazers suffered another early playoff exit the team could look to break up Lillard and CJ McCollum. We wouldn’t be surprised if this is the time to pull the trigger. The Blazers would be wise to retool their roster, as they’re a bit old, especially in the frontcourt, and this group simply isn’t getting it done.
