Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has become a popular name when looking at players around the league to join LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN said “he’s not at that level” of asking Portland’s front office for a trade on “ESPNLA Mornings with Keyshawn, Jorge & LZ” (transcription via Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen & Roll):
“I’ve been hearing that in the wind for several months now, but the problem with that is, — and this is why you’re seeing passive-aggressive, LeBron-style subtweeting — he has a lot of years left on his deal and he’s beloved in the city of Portland and he’s a leader on that team, so I really think the only way that would ever become a real threat is if he asked for it publicly.