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Damian Lillard Damian Lillard to meet with Blazers officials
Mon, Jun 26, 2023, 9:31 AM
Sam Amick of The Athletic
Damian Lillard is expected to meet with Trailblazers officials this week to discuss his future according to Sam Amick of The Athletic.
Analysis: "Dame Watch 2023" is in full tilt as yet another update on the situation comes in. Lillard will reportedly meet with Trailblazers' officials sometime this week to discuss roster building and steps toward the future. Amick adds in his report however that if the two sides can't come to an agreement, then it's "all eyes on Miami" from there. Free agency officially begins Friday at 6pm. |
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Damian Lillard Blazers GM has 'zero desire' to trade Dame Lillard
Fri, Jun 23, 2023, 5:04 PM
Kerry Eggers on Twitter
Portland's GM Joe Cronin said on Friday that he has "zero desire" to trade Damian Lillard.
Analysis: Cronin talked about wanting to keep both Dame and Scoot Henderson around, and that he's excited about getting to add Scoot. Though Dame has expressed a desire to win now, Cronin stayed pat and drafted the best player available with the third pick. Now, he'll have to build a contender around Dame with some incredibly talented young guys. Despite Cronin saying he plans to keep Dame around, Lillard could certainly force his hand if he feels this team isn't ready to win. |
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Damian Lillard Blazers 'shutting down' calls for Damian Lillard
Wed, Jun 21, 2023, 4:49 PM
Adrian Wojnarowski on Twitter
The Blazers have "shut down anyone who calls for Damian Lillard", according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Analysis: Woj did acknowledge that the Heat are waiting to see if Lillard will be made available while appearing on The Pat McAfee Show, but it appears that Portland and Dame are intent to build a winner there. Portland has the third pick in the draft, and with rumors that Charlotte will take Brandon Miller at two, the Blazers could start a strong rebuild with Scoot Henderson. However, they seem to feel that they can win now, which may include Scoot playing alongside Dame. We'll see what they're able to build around Lillard. |
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Damian Lillard Shams: Damian Lillard 'wants to be in Portland'
Mon, Jun 19, 2023, 12:16 PM
Pat McAfee on Twitter
According to Shams Charania of The Athletic, Damian Lillard "has left it up to Portland....he wants to be there".
Analysis: The Damian Lillard situation continues to add layer after layer. While on the Pat McAfee Show, Shams reported that Lillard wants to be in Portland and "wants that team to get better". Presumably the ball is in Portland's court on either trading the No.3 pick and assets to surround Lillard with more star help or trading him away to start the rebuild. As of now the Miami Heat seem to be the main ones in the Dame sweepstakes. |
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Damian Lillard Haynes: Miami focused on adding Damian Lillard
Sun, Jun 18, 2023, 5:08 PM
Chris Haynes on Twitter
According to TNT's Chris Haynes, the Heat are focused on adding Damian Lillard in the offseason.
Analysis: Haynes notes that the Heat have a "genuine belief this could be the offseason the veteran guard seeks a change of scenery." Lillard trade rumors have swirled as of late, and Miami has been mentioned as a preferred destination. The Heat are fresh off a trip to the NBA Finals with just Jimmy Butler and role players, so perhaps Lillard views himself as the last missing piece to a championship roster. |
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Damian Lillard Windhorst: Trade market 'quiet' for Damian Lillard
Wed, Jun 14, 2023, 6:30 PM
ESPN on YouTube
According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, he has heard "nothing" regarding the potential trade market for Damian Lillard.
Analysis: While Lillard's comments during an interview on Showtime last week made some waves, the same can't be said for potential deals. Windhorst hasn't heard anything from those close to Lillard or people within the Trail Blazers organization regarding a potential trade. "They publicly havenât sounded like they want to trade him. I can tell you privately the Blazers arenât interested in trading him right now either,â Windhorst said on ESPN's Get Up. âI have to underline âright nowâ because weâre in a fluid situation." Portland holds the third overall pick in next week's draft, which could be an attractive "carrot" to dangle to improve the roster around Lillard. However, would the Blazers brass prefer to select either Brandon Miller or Scoot Henderson? With New Orleans rumored to be interested in moving up for the latter, Portland's draft pick is certainly worth keeping an eye on ahead of June 22. |
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Anfernee Simons Report: Blazers open to moving Anfernee Simons
Fri, Jun 9, 2023, 10:58 AM
Kevin O’Connor
Portland is open to moving Anfernee Simons to help build a contender around Damian Lillard, per Kevin OâConnor of the Ringer.
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Damian Lillard Dame: Miami and Brooklyn are 'obvious' trade spots
Wed, Jun 7, 2023, 10:26 AM
Erik Slater on Twitter
In a recent interview with SHOWTIME, Damian Lillard lists the Heat and Nets as obvious trade destinations if he were to be traded.
Analysis: As if Heat and Nets fans didn't already need a reason to fire away at the trade machines. In a recent interview on "The Last Stand" with Brian Custer, Lillard said that in a hypothetical trade scenario, Miami or Brooklyn would be obvious choices. Dame cited his relationship with Heat center Bam Adebayo as well as his relationship with Nets budding star Mikal Bridges calling them both his "dawgs". He also added both organizations have capable rosters. |
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Shaedon Sharpe Fischer: Shaedon Sharpe 'off limits' in trade talk
Tue, Jun 6, 2023, 3:26 PM
Jake Fischer
According to a report from Yahoo's Jake Fischer, teams that are interested in trading for the third pick have been given the impression that Shaedon Sharpe is "off limits" in trade talks.
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Jabari Walker Jabari Walker suffers knee strain during finale
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 8:05 PM
Trail Blazers PR on Twitter
Jabari Walker suffered a strained left knee during the fourth quarter of Sunday's 157-101 loss to the Warriors.
Analysis: The outcome of a game that Portland had little chance of winning was terrible enough. Walker's injury made matters even worse. Attempting to challenge a Jordan Poole shot as the help-side defender, Walker collided with a teammate in midair while challenging the shot, with the player's foot landing on Walker's knee as he hit the ground. That would end the rookie's 2022-23 campaign with under 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Walker began the season out of the rotation but served as Drew Eubanks' backup once usual starter Jusuf Nurkic was shut down last month. Walker's contract is partially guaranteed for next season, so his performances in Summer League will be critical. |
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Skylar Mays Skylar Mays posts 21/4/11/3 line in season finale
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 5:48 PM
Sean Highkin on Twitter
Skylar Mays posted a solid line on Sunday with 21 points (7-for-17 FGs), four rebounds, 11 assists, three steals and two 3-pointers in a 157-101 loss to the Warriors.
Analysis: The fun part of Portland tanking harder than anyone else in the league is that players that have been written off get a chance to prove they belong in the league. Mays has shined lately for Portland. He played the final six games for Portland and averaged 15.3 points, 8.3 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game. He may not be a fantasy contributor next season, but he should be able to find a more permanent home this summer. All five starters scored in double figures, including Shaedon Sharpe, who said after the game that he believes he deserves to start next season. Portland will have major questions to answer this summer, as they look to build a contender around Damian Lillard. |
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Kevin Knox Kevin Knox, Trendon Watford available vs. GSW
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 1:39 PM
NBA Injury Report
Kevin Knox (right quad contusion) and Trendon Watford (right ankle sprain) will be available to play against the Warriors on Sunday.
Analysis: The duo started in the frontcourt and took on the offensive load in their last game. Knox led the way with 30 points and 11 rebounds, while Watford was able to add 24 points. Both guys should start again and play massive roles. |
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Cam Reddish Cam Reddish, Drew Eubanks out Sunday vs. Warriors
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 1:32 PM
NBA Injury Report
Cam Reddish (lumbar soreness) and Drew Eubanks (right ankle sprain) have been ruled out for Sunday's matchup with Golden State.
Analysis: Reddish will miss a seventh straight game to end the season for Portland. Eubanks will miss a second straight after playing in their first 80 games of the season. Trendon Watford and Kevin Knox were the starters for a small frontcourt in their last game, and there's a solid chance that continues for the final game of this lost season. |
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Shaedon Sharpe Shaedon Sharpe (quad) will play in finale vs. GSW
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 12:53 PM
Sean Highkin on Twitter
Shaedon Sharpe (right quad contusion) will play against the Warriors on Sunday.
Analysis: Sharpe will have one last opportunity to be the focal point of the offense this season. Heading into the summer, Portland will have a lot of decisions to make, but Chauncey Billups made it clear that Sharpe will have a chance to earn a starting spot. If they decide to clean house, Sharpe could be one of the main scorers next season. However, if Damian Lillard, Jerami Grant and Jusuf Nurkic remain in town, Sharpe likely won't get enough shots to be an elite fantasy option. |
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Trendon Watford Trendon Watford, Kevin Knox, Shaedon probable Sun.
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 11:08 AM
NBA Injury Report
Trendon Watford (sprained right ankle), Kevin Knox (left knee soreness), and Shaedon Sharpe (right quad contusion) are probable for Sunday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: Watford, Knox, and Sharpe are on track to be available for Sunday's game. By tipoff, the team will know whether or not the outcome will impact their draft lottery odds, as Orlando (34-47; Portland is 33-48) plays Miami in the earlier set of games. That may impact how much Watford, Knox, and Sharpe will play, as all three have proven to be solid fantasy assets at this point in the season. |
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Drew Eubanks Drew Eubanks, Cam Reddish questionable for Sunday
Sun, Apr 9, 2023, 11:02 AM
NBA Injury Report
Drew Eubanks (sprained right ankle) and Cam Reddish (lumbar soreness) are questionable for Sunday's game against the Warriors.
Analysis: Eubanks and Reddish were held out of Saturday's loss to the Clippers, with the former being replaced in the starting lineup by Kevin Knox (Trendon Watford shifted over to the five). Eubanks is the more impactful of the two questionable Blazers as far as fantasy value is concerned, as there are multiple young wings at Chauncey Billups' disposal. |
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Shaedon Sharpe Shaedon Sharpe drops in 26 points in return vs LAC
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 6:52 PM
Shaedon Sharpe shot 10-of-20 from the field and 3-of-4 from the foul line in Saturday's 136-125 loss to the Clippers, scoring 26 points with four rebounds, four assists, two steals, and three 3-pointers in 37 minutes.
Analysis: Sharpe was back in action after sitting out Thursday's loss to San Antonio, once again surpassing the 20-point mark. The rookie wing has scored 20 or more in five straight and eight of his last nine appearances. While this has largely been a lost season for Portland, which pulled the plug a few weeks ago, Sharpe's development is certainly a positive. Trendon Watford also played well on Saturday, recording a line of 24 points, two rebounds, three assists, one block, and two 3-pointers on 10-of-15 shooting, while Kevin Knox scored a game-high 30 points. Portland closes its season with a home game against the Warriors on Sunday. |
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Kevin Knox Kevin Knox goes off for 30 points with 11 rebounds
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 6:41 PM
Kevin Knox logged 36 minutes in Saturday's 136-125 loss to the Clippers, accumulating 30 points (10-of-15 FGs, 5-of-6 FTs), 11 rebounds, two assists, one steal, and five 3-pointers.
Analysis: Knox had one of the best games of his NBA career on Saturday, with the 30 points being four shy of his career-high. He shot 66.7% from the field against the Clippers, and the double-double is the fifth of his career and the first of the 30-point variety. Knox has reached double figures in six of his last eight games, but only in the last two has the accuracy been up to snuff. He shot 9-of-15 from the field in Thursday's loss to the Spurs; in the eight games prior, Knox connected on 39.6% of his attempts from the field and 23.1% from three. He'll look to close his season on a high note when Portland hosts Golden State Sunday afternoon. |
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Cam Reddish Cam Reddish (back) downgraded to out Saturday
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 1:52 PM
Trail Blazers PR on Twitter
Cam Reddish has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Clippers with lumbar soreness.
Analysis: Reddish will miss a fifth consecutive game due to injury, leaving the team shorthanded on the wings. The return of Shaedon Sharpe will certainly help Portland, and John Butler Jr., Shaquille Harrison, and Justin Minaya will log rotation minutes as well. |
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Shaedon Sharpe POR starting Mays, Sharpe, Williams, Knox, Watford
Sat, Apr 8, 2023, 1:43 PM
Law Murray on Twitter
Skylar Mays, Shaedon Sharpe, Jeenathan Williams, Kevin Knox, and Trendon Watford will start Saturday's game against the Clippers.
Analysis: Sharpe (knee), Watford (ankle), and Knox (quad) have all been cleared to play in Portland's penultimate game of the season and will be in the starting lineup. They're joined by Mays and Williams, with the former being a player of some value in deeper leagues that are still active. |
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