LAS VEGAS — In a matter of hours on Friday, Damian Lillard went from responding to a report that Portland Trial Blazers chair Jody Allen had ignored his requests to speak with her about the direction of the franchise to signing a two-year contract extension worth about $122 million.
The deal was finalized shortly after Lillard issued a statement that he had a positive relationship with Allen, and maybe nothing says “We love you” more than nine figures on a contract.
Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, called the extension a reward for Lillard’s dedication to Rip City and that general manager Joe Cronin and franchise chair Jody Allen want to win.
“He deserves this,” Goodwin said. “He’s been as loyal and good during his 10 years as anyone in the league. It’s a testament to Joe and Jody’s commitment to continue to build a winning team and a first-class organization.”
The news of the extension put a smile on the face of Blazers forward Greg Brown III, who spoke to the media following Friday’s practice.
“Congratulations for him,” Brown said. “I’m happy for him. That’s amazing. I’m just glad Dame is around. He’s a great, great person. And I’m looking forward to keep learning from him.”
While the Blazers have now locked up Lillard for five years at roughly $259 million, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the six-time All-Star will finish his career in Portland.
Lillard has made it clear over and over that he wants to retire with the Blazers. But he also wants to contend for a championship. Last summer, for the first time, Lillard hinted that he could seek a trade if the franchise didn’t take the steps necessary to contend.
So far this summer, he has been nothing but positive about the direction of the team. And that makes sense given that the Blazers have added two players Lillard wanted to play with.
The acquisitions of Jeremi Grant and Gary Payton II have certainly improved the team’s roster, but the Blazers don’t have the look of a championship contender. That will likely require additional moves from Cronin, who has said that his overall retooling plan stretches into the summer of 2023.
The Blazers’ Damian Lillard looks on as the Portland Trail Blazers face the Utah Jazz in the 2021-22 season finale at the Moda Center on Sunday, April 10, 2022, in Portland. Photo by Naji Saker for The Oregonian/OregonLivePhoto by Naji Saker for The Oregonian/OregonLive
If by then the Blazers aren’t further improved, it’s anyone’s guess as to how Lillard, who turns 32 next week, will respond as the biological clock on his prime continues to tick.
But for now, Lillard is locked in and the Blazers at least appear to be pointed in the right direction, one that saw their superstar help plot the course.
Last summer, Lillard became closer friends with Grant, a teammate on Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics. During the season, Grant’s name began being linked to the Blazers in trade rumors. The February trade deadline came and went without a deal, but prior to the June NBA draft, the Blazers had locked in Grant, much to Lillard’s delight.
Goodwin said that the acquisition demonstrated to Lillard that the Blazers were serious about building a winner around him.
Lillard, during an ESPN interview Thursday night during the Blazers’ summer league opener against Detroit, expressed his delight to be playing with Grant, a 6-8 versatile forward with elite athleticism.
“That was like the number one thing that I wanted to get done first,” he said. “Jerami has been on winning teams in OKC and in Denver. He brings something to the game that we haven’t had at that position. And then his talent is just at a different level. The athleticism. There are a lot of things that jump off the page. But having him on the court makes us a better team. I know that from playing against him and from being around with him at USA.”
Next came the signing of Payton, who was a free agent. Lillard, who is from Oakland, California, many years ago forged a strong relationship with former NBA great Gary Payton, also from Oakland. That led to Lillard getting to know Payton II.
After watching Payton help the Warriors win the NBA title last season, Lillard, according to Goodwin, made it clear to Cronin that he wanted the defensive-minded guard on his team.
“This was something Damian pushed for,” Goodwin said.
It just so happens that Goodwin represents both players.
So, given that Lillard asked for Grant and Payton, it would appear extremely unlikely that he would demand to be traded in the same summer.
Next, factor in the new extension.
Signing an extension doesn’t prevent Lillard from ever being traded. But now a team must be willing to take on Lillard’s massive contract, with four years guaranteed beyond the 2022-23 season.
He will be making around $60 million in the final season at age 36.
This could be the final NBA contract Lillard signs. He certainly will be past his prime once this contract ends, although he could still be a very dangerous player at 36, given how well he keeps himself in shape.
But in all reality, the Blazers have five years to win a championship with Lillard still at the peak of his powers.
He is all in. Now it’s up to management to finally, after 10 seasons, take full advantage.
Lillard, Cronin and coach Chauncey Billups were scheduled to appear for a news conference at 5:30 p.m., Saturday, to discuss the contract extension.
— Aaron Fentress | [email protected] | @AaronJFentress (Twitter), @AaronJFentress (Instagram), @AaronFentress (Facebook).
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