Lowe: The Sixers are all-in on new vibes after their absurdist drama

The future of Damian Lillard with the Portland Trail Blazers is at an inflection point leading up to the NBA draft with two probable scenarios: either the Blazers trade some sort of package involving the No. 3 pick for a significant win-now piece, or they keep the pick and likely begin the process of trading Lillard.

“Right now it is really up to Portland,” said Shams Charania on the Pat McAfee Show. “Damian Lillard has really left it up to Portland. He wants to be there. He wants that team to get better. They have the No. 3 pick in the draft, they have the No. 23 pick in the draft, they Anfernee Simons…What can you go get in the marketplace to make this team better?

“If nothing comes about, then I do think Damian Lillard will have to look very hard at his future in Portland.

“But if they do make the team better on Thursday night, then I think you’ll see Damian Lillard be there. As much as people want to make this a Damian Lillard thing, it’s really on Portland. The ball is in Portland’s court.”

Lillard has demonstrated a preference publicly to remain with the Blazers, but he has also wants the team to improve after missing out on the playoffs each of the past two seasons.