Damian Lillard Wants No Part of Rebuild in Portland After Trail Blazers Endure Another Losing Season

• Damian Lillard told reporters he wanted no part of a rebuild in Portland
• The Blazers finished the 2022-23 season with the NBA's fifth-worst record
• They have not reached the playoffs in each of the last two seasons

Damian Lillard isn’t interested in a rebuild for the Portland Trail Blazers.

The 32-year-old wants instant results after enduring another disappointing season with the Blazers.

Portland finished the 2022-23 campaign with a 33-49 slate, the fifth-worst record in the NBA.

Lillard made the revelation during exit interviews after their season-ending loss to the Golden State Warriors, saying:

“I don’t have much of an appetite for bringing in guys two and three years away from really going after it. This is not a secret. I want a chance to go for it. And if the route is to do that, then that’s not my route."

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It isn’t a complete surprise to see Lillard making that stance. Time is running out for the NBA veteran to grab the elusive championship.

He has committed his future to the franchise, signing a lucrative two-year, $122 million extension last offseason, per USA Today.

Lillard remained loyal to the organization despite the Blazers being underachievers during his 11 seasons in Portland.

He made the postseason eight straight times with the Blazers, including an appearance in the Western Conference Finals in 2018.

Lillard led Portland to a 53-29 record that year but was eliminated by eventual champs Golden State in the playoffs.

Struggles mount for Portland

Much to Lillard’s disappointment, the Blazers have struggled in the last four seasons, compiling an abysmal 137-173 record. Portland even traded Lillard’s longtime backcourt partner CJ McCollum during that period.

That move hasn’t paid dividends yet for the Blazers, who have missed the playoffs in the last two seasons.

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Lillard’s patience is wearing thin, with the seven-time All-Star making it clear that he doesn’t want to wait any longer for young players to become key contributors to a playoff team.

Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin echoed his star’s sentiment, saying, "the goal is to get better as soon as possible.”

That means trading their first-round lottery pick is not out of the question, except if Portland lands the jackpot and gets Victor Wembanyama with the No. 1 selection.

Lillard and Mitchell score 71

Sports Brief recently reported on the highest-scoring games this season.

Lillard and Donovan Mitchell topped the scoring charts, each recording 71 points this campaign.

Lillard accomplished the feat in the game against the Houston Rockets.