As the Portland Trail Blazers are heading for another lowly exit in this 2022-23 season, Damian Lillard dished out some cryptic words regarding his intentions for the club moving to the offseason.
Lillard, 32, won’t be one of those stars being featured in the 2023 NBA Playoffs. Despite the franchise guard’s career-high averages of 32.2 points and 46.3 percent shooting, the Blazers will leave the campaign with a 33-49 record that is ranked 13th in the Western Conference.
Appearing for his exit interview on Sunday, Lillard is generally not satisfied with how the Blazers have fared collectively this season.
“Honestly, underwhelming,” said Lillard, via Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report. “Just frustrating. A lot of things. Never being fully healthy, never being able to put a consistent stretch together. A season full of ups and downs. Not a lot of consistency.”
Lillard noted that “now is the time to really push forward” at the side of Portland. He added there were “needle movers” who were interested to play for the Blazers, but it’s up to the club to acquire them (per team writer Casey Holdahl).
Lillard also made it known that he has no more time to spend helping younger players to develop, insisting that he wants to compete as much as possible.
“I don’t have much of an appetite for building with guys 2 and 3 years away and not really go after it,” said Lillard, via Highkin.
