Damian Lillard sent a clear message to Portland Trail Blazers fans who are starting trade rumors

Damian Lillard has a message for fans of Portland Trail Blazers that they want the franchise to transfer.

A couple of days after Portland picked up the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Lillard responded to someone on Twitter who claimed he would “silence” anyone who “undervalued” team selection and “insisted on trading Dame.”

“If the fans want to transfer me, make a request and send it”Lillard tweeted.

If the fans wana trade me … start the petition and send it in ????????‍♂️ https://t.co/zOjGRBh8rD

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 18, 2023

Lillard then fired back at someone else accusing him of wanting to leave but making it sound like fans are pushing him to: “I was on the same team for over a decade (laughs), I’m just saying if people have different desires…”

I been on the same time over a decade lol … I’m just saying if the ppl got different wishes ????????‍♂️ https://t.co/qqp2qzRsFh

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) May 18, 2023

There is no doubt that the Trail Blazers are waiting for some important months. It would have been an easy decision if they had gotten the No. 1 pick in the upcoming Draft, but they just missed out on Victor Wembanyama, one of the most promising players in NBA history.

Although Portland is still in a position to draft someone with All-Star potential, Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes reported that the franchise is expected to carry over the Draft pick in “an effort to continue building a competitive team” around Lillard.

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Lillard is coming off one of the best seasons of his career. In 58 games he averaged a career-high 32.2 points, along with 7.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds. Those numbers helped earn him a seventh All-Star and an All-NBA selection.

Despite Lillard’s efforts, the Trail Blazers finished 13th in the Western Conference.

Looking ahead to the 2022-2023 season, Lillard said he still sees himself finishing his career in Portland and is “willing to keep hitting” as long as the franchise is “putting his best foot forward and let’s be on the same page about doing everything we can to win.”

After the season, Lillard acknowledged that he and the Trail Blazers might have a decision to make.

Damian Lillard knows it is time for the Blazers to figure out how to win, or some tough conversations will have to be had on both sides#sascast pic.twitter.com/ljXZfwDGpF

— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) April 13, 2023

The details of Damian Lillard’s contract

Lillard signed a two-year extension with the Portland Trail Blazers in 2022. He has an option to end the contract after the 2026-2027 season, when he will be 36 years old.

The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.