Day: April 26, 2023

The future of Damian Lillard with the Portland Trail Blazers is uncertain this offseason as they come off another season in which they were out of the playoff picture well before the end of the season.

Portland has attempted to rebuild around Lillard with win-now veterans such as Jerami Grant, but they have also wanted to keep young players with value such as Shaedon Sharpe.

If Lillard and the Blazers decide to explore trade options, the Miami Heat are a team expected to have interest.

“I think the Heat are on the cusp of looking for another star maneuver,” said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. “I would put them on the list for Dame Lillard if Dame ends up getting traded. If he goes to market, I think the Heat are on that list. I don’t know if they have enough. A lot of their offer would be built around Tyler Herro, who was just injured. I suspect, I don’t know for sure, just to be clear, I don’t know for sure if they’re going to offer him, but I suspect that would be the type of thing. That and draft picks.”

Kawhi Leonard has been diagnosed with a torn meniscus in his right knee.

Leonard played in the first two games of the Los Angeles Clippers’ first round series against the Phoenix Suns where he averaged 35 points per game. Leonard missed Games 3, 4 and 5 with the injury in which he was listed as day-to-day.

Leonard is signed with the Clippers through the 24-25 season and he can become a free agent in 2024 if he declines his player option.

Leonard suffered a partially torn ACL during the 2021 playoffs, which led him to miss the entire 21-22 season.

Russell Westbrook reflected on his time with the Los Angeles Clippers after their season came to an end with a Game 5 loss against the Phoenix Suns. Westbrook said he loved his time with the Clippers and said appreciated being embraced by the franchise and the fans.

Westbrook went on to explain the sense of relief he felt was he was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers. When asked when he felt that weight being lifted, Westbrook said it happened right away.

“Once I got traded. Immediately, to be honest. From that moment, honestly, mentally, I was in a better place.”

Westbrook joined the Clippers on a deal for the remainder of the season after his buyout from the Utah Jazz.

“You know what, this will be probably my first time actually in my career being able to make a decision,” Westbrook said of his future. “One thing I do tell you is that I love it here. I love the people, just the fans overall embracing not just me but my family and close friends. I know a lot of things have happened [this season], but I’m grateful. I definitely love being here.

“As far as making a decision, I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. I don’t really know my process because it’s kind of my first time doing this. So we’ll see what happens.”