Damian Lillard needs to be as clear as doable. He has not requested a commerce away from the Path Blazers.

However on the identical time, he hasn’t determined his most well-liked path for the 2021-22 NBA season both.

Lillard spoke about his standing on Friday afternoon after a USA Basketball follow. He denied the commerce rumors that had swirled round social media all day but additionally mentioned that he hadn’t made a “agency choice” on his future.

“I woke as much as these stories and lots of people reaching out to me. It isn’t true,” Lillard mentioned to reporters. “I mentioned the final time I spoke to you guys a lot of issues have been mentioned, nevertheless it is not coming from me. No. 1, it is not true. Secondly, I have not made any agency choice on what my future can be. There’s actually no want for anyone else to talk for me or report this or report that. If there’s one thing to be mentioned — as I mentioned the final time — I am going to communicate straight with my staff and Neil (Olshey). That is that.”

MORE: Two components that would push Damian Lillard out of Portland

Although he balked at talks of constructing a agency choice, Lillard did say that he expects to be again in Portland to start out the 2021 season.

Nonetheless, he additionally indicated that he needs the Path Blazers to improve his supporting solid as a substitute of counting on new coach Chauncey Billups to return in and repair every little thing.

“I do not disagree that perhaps Chauncey can change our staff and make us a greater staff,” Lillard mentioned. “However I believe for those who have a look at our staff as it’s, I do not see the way you say ‘this can be a championship staff, we simply want a brand new coach.'”

The Path Blazers have been eradicated within the first spherical of the NBA playoffs 4 of the final 5 years. The staff’s protection has ranked backside 5 in defensive effectivity in every of the previous two seasons.

Portland has made it out of the primary spherical simply 3 times complete since Lillard was drafted in 2012 regardless of him averaging 25.7 factors, 4.5 rebounds and 6.2 assists per recreation throughout his postseason profession. 

Lillard is ready to fulfill with Billups and Path Blazers GM Neil Olshey at USA Basketball’s camp in Las Vegas. He insists {that a} assembly would’ve occurred whatever the commerce rumors, but additionally added that “there is a dialog available” between the three events this time.

Regardless of the ominous phrases, it seems like Lillard has a most well-liked end result: staying in Portland and taking part in for a championship contender.

“Proper now, I am undecided what I will do,” Lillard mentioned. “What I can say is my coronary heart has at all times been set on being in a Path Blazers uniform for my complete profession. Over time, you need to win all of it. I need to win all of it in a Path Blazers uniform, however all of us must be making strides in the direction of that.”