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Also: It is believed that Antetokounmpo — who continues to be described by numerous sources as wanting to head for the exit ramp sooner rather than later without explicitly asking for it himself — has yet to try to force his way to a particular new team or two. Which could still happen and naturally impact the week to come hugely. You've surely noted that the Heat have held back on making the best possible trade offers it could have for players such as Damian Lillard, Kevin Durant and, most recently, Ja Morant. Miami has been clinging to its most coveted draft capital for the right All-Star pursuit. And this appears to be it. The Heat's best offer is presumed to be a package headlined by Wisconsin native Tyler Herro, rising big man Ke’lel Ware and tradeable first-round picks in 2030 and 2032.
Within the Trail Blazers, franchise star Damian Lillard has a special name for rookie Caleb Love. “Ask him what I always call him,” Lillard says. “Ask him …” Lillard first used the nickname in November at Golden State, when Love hit six 3-pointers on the way to 26 points during the Blazers’ 127-123 win. Top-10 pick! Lillard trumpeted. Top-10 pick! “Top-10 pick … Just hearing that from him made me so excited … like, he doesn’t even know,” Love said. “I’m still a little kid when it comes to him. I still look up to him.”
Blazers officials have always viewed Giannis Antetokounmpo's potential Milwaukee exit as a chance to improve their own roster by jumping into a multi-team deal. So there is absolutely a down-the-road world where the Blazers could try to butt into, say, Milwaukee/New York talks if Giannis-to-the-Knicks ever got serious. File this away as well: League sources say Portland has long admired New York's Mikal Bridges going back to Lillard's first stint as a Blazer.
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Grant Afseth: Klay Thompson's three at the 1:18 mark of the first quarter vs. Utah was the 2,805th of his career, pushing him past Damian Lillard for fourth on the NBA’s all-time 3-point list.
Trail Blazers PR: INJURY REPORT 1/7 vs. HOU: OUT Jerami Grant (L Achilles Tendonitis) Scoot Henderson (L Hamstring) Jrue Holiday (R Calf Strain) Damian Lillard (L Achilles Tendon) Matisse Thybulle (R Knee Tendinopathy) Blake Wesley (R Foot Fracture) DOUBTFUL Kris Murray (Low Back Soreness)
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard recently joined Allie Clifton on an episode of the Road Trippin' Show. Lillard gave some insight into where he's at with his rehab from his torn Achilles' tendon and how he's looking forward to next season. "It's going great," Lillard said about his rehab process. "I think it's just one of those injuries where you’ve got to take your time—you know, it takes what it takes. The first couple of weeks to maybe two or three months is kind of frustrating because you're so limited. But with patience, giving yourself grace, and doing the things necessary to continue progressing, you get to a point where you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel."
First and foremost, how are you? How's the rehab going? DAMIAN LILLARD: It's going great. I think it's just one of those injuries where you’ve got to take your time—you know, it takes what it takes. The first couple of weeks to maybe two or three months is kind of frustrating because you're so limited. But with patience, giving yourself grace, and doing the things necessary to continue progressing, you get to a point where you start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.
I know it was about that long-term health versus the quick comeback for you. Still feel good about that timeline? DAMIAN LILLARD: I feel great about it—even better now than I did when I made that decision. Just getting further along and seeing that everything is coming back. I think that’s the number one concern: “How am I going to move after this?” So getting everything back and just getting to the point where I have to get used to unpredictable movements, a little bit of contact, picking up the pace more and more, being up in the air, landing—not thinking about it too much—stuff like that. Now that I've gotten to that point, I feel better about the decision to give myself the maximum amount of time. Also, looking at our team and the type of growth that we’ve had, I know if I’m able to do this and come correct, we’ll have a great shot next season.
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What’s it taught you about yourself this year? DAMIAN LILLARD: I think it’s taught me that when things go sideways for me, I feel the weight of it. I feel the weight of the hard times. But I always find a way. I’ve dealt with a lot—from having a blood clot, tearing my Achilles, being waived, being away from my kids and my family. I’ve had all those experiences all within the last year, and I just kept my head down. I had some hard days, some hard times, and I just kept pushing forward. God is always faithful. I don’t even know how we got to this day, but we got here through the grace of God. Now we move forward. I got here with my head held high, and still all in one piece. So I’m really excited about what’s to come—and also being back home in Portland.
Victor Claver on Damian Lillard’s rookie season: ‘He said from the first day, I think he didn't see himself as a rookie. He was saying, ‘I’ve arrived here and I'm the best,’ and in the first game he scored like 20 points and 10 assists, something like that. You have to have that mentality of believing in yourself and trusting in your abilities to be able to do it.
Kevin Durant blames Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard for the downfall of the All-Star Game: LeBron James locked in every all star game. He not out there shooting from half court. I’m blaming Steph. It’s Steph fault. He come out there and shoot half court bro. I’m blaming him for the All Star game. I’m blaming Dame too
Another player who has been on Milwaukee's radar under the same premise, both this season and in previous years, is Trail Blazers swingman Jerami Grant. Grant has two seasons remaining on his deal after this one worth just over $70 million … and Portland already controls Milwaukee's first-round pick in 2028, 2029 and 2030 as a vestige of the Damian Lillard trade
