Will Damian Lillard Be On The Blazers Roster For Training Camp?

PHILADELPHIA, PA – MARCH 10: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers in action against the Philadelphia 76ers during a game at Wells Fargo Center on March 10, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 76ers defeated the Trail Blazers 120-119. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

By STEVEN VAUGHAN, 750 THE GAME

It has been a month since Damian Lillard’s trade request.

While we have heard a lot of news and rumors. there doesn’t seem to be a lot of progress toward a Lillard trade.

Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, has been vocal in saying that Lillard only wants to play in Miami. John Canzano thinks that it could actually hurt Lillard’s chances in getting to Miami this season.

“I have suspected for a while now that Lillard could end up in a Blazers uniform to start the season,” Canzano said on 750 The Game. “He certainly could if the Blazers don’t make a deal. Because his trade value in the market was absolutely affected by the actions of his agent.”

Trail Blazers fans love that fact that Lillard has shown them loyalty over the years, but Canzano thinks that it is making the whole situation more difficult.

“Damian Lillard is in a tricky spot. Why? He wants to be the good guy. He doesn’t want to be the bad guy. He doesn’t want to be the one that says ‘I want out! I won’t play!’ So he sent his agent to do his bidding. And his agent apparently went behind the scenes and made it clear that Miami was the only place he’d go.”

Training camp officially opens Oct. 3. Could the Trail Blazers keep any Damian Lillard suitors at bay until then?

“I think they are willing to go into camp,” Canzano said. “In fact, I sort of expect that because I don’t think they’ll get a deal they like in this climate.”

The Trail Blazers seem to have most of the leverage in this situation and Blazers GM Joe Cronin has said he wants to get the best possible deal. With no deadlines coming up before training camp, I think Damian Lillard is on the Trail Blazers come training camp.

Listen to the segment as part of The Big Splash at the 42:00 mark of the podcast below. Catch the Bald Faced Truth with John Canzano weekdays 3-6 p.m. exclusively in Portland on 750 The Game.