Photo: Peter Baba

During a meeting in early September with the top brass of the Portland Trail Blazers, team owner Jody Allen emphasized the need to part ways with Damian Lillard.

Despite the team being taken aback by Lillard’s unexpected trade request, Allen was prepared for the Trail Blazers to pivot in a new direction.

“We really need to move on. We’ve got great young talent. We’re not like other rebuilding teams who don’t have a strong core of young players. It’s time to turn the page,” Allen said.