Report: Damian Lillard to request trade from Portland / News - Basketnews.com

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2-pointers this season

51%25,6Points made:25,6Accuracy:51,0%Place in standings:27Record max:37Record min:15Most made 2FGs:C.J. McCollumTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

Damian Lillard is going to request a trade from Portland, according to Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports. The Trail Blazers leader is allegedly fed up with the team's inability to build a solid roster and the heavy criticism he received in view of the hiring of Chauncey Billups as head coach. Haynes notes that Lillard’s decision to stay in Portland throughout his career can be attributed in large part to his strong connection with the fans. However, the decision to hire Billups was met with apprehension by some fans due to sexual assault allegations stemming from a 1997 incident. Lillard, who identified Billups as a candidate he liked, said he had nothing to do with Billups' hiring and responded to the comments implying that he was supposed to know about the incident.

Portland is expected to announce the hiring of Billups on Tuesday, Haynes reports. Billups, a 17-year veteran, is currently in his first season of coaching as an assistant under Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue. Lillard, who has spent every season of his career with Portland since being drafted sixth in 2012, put forth one of his best campaigns in 2020-21. He averaged 28.8 points, 7.5 assists and 35.8 minutes in 67 contests, raising those averages to 34.3 points, 10.2 assists and 41.3 minutes during six playoff outings.The Blazers ultimately lost to the Nuggets in a six-game first-round series, immediately raising questions about Lillard’s future. The All-Star guard has long expressed a desire to spend his career in Portland and win a title with the Blazers, but he has admitted multiple times that the 2020/21 season was his most frustrating as a pro.

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