Day: June 14, 2023

The Portland Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard continue to appear fully committed to each other as the franchise evaluates its options ahead of next week’s draft where they own the No. 3 pick.

“Not at the start of the season, I don’t believe, as of right now,” said Brian Windhorst on First Take when asked if Lillard will be on a different team when the 23-24 season begins.

“They publicly haven’t sounded like they want to trade him. I can tell you privately the Blazers aren’t interested in trading him right now either,” added Windhorst. “I have to underline ‘right now’ because we’re in a fluid situation.”

Windhorst went on to emphasize how clear Lillard was at the end of the season that he wants the Blazers to make roster moves to improve their chances of competing around him.

“I am hearing nothing,” said Windhorst. “Nothing from the Dame side. Nothing from the Blazers’ side formally that he doesn’t want to be there.”

With the Blazers owning the No. 3 pick, they have more optionality with what they can do, but it also could be difficult to give up a player with the type of upside possessed by Scoot Henderson and Brandon Miller.

“I don’t see it happening right now.”

Monty Williams’ wife was diagnosed with breast cancer shortly before the Detroit Pistons initially reached out about the team’s open head coach role, revealed Williams at his introductory press conference.

“I had a situation, personally, in my family that needed attention. I talked to my wife today about whether or not we should talk about that publicly, but that was a huge part of my decision-making. The patience that Troy and Mr. Gores (Pistons owner Tom Gores) had with me as we navigated that told me a lot,” said Williams on Tuesday.

Williams was given access to a health and welfare fund to help with medical expenses not covered by insurance.

Williams also has access to a private jet to travel to Phoenix, where his wife’s doctor resides.

Williams signed a six-year, $72 million deal with the Pistons.