Report: Damian Lillard looking for monster contract extension

Damian Lillard is reportedly looking for a two-year, $107 million extension in July with the Portland Trail Blazers.

“Lillard wants a two-year, $107 million extension in July, and he and his agent need the next general manager to sell ownership on the idea,” wrote ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. “As much as anything, this cuts to the core of the Blazers’ search process. His desire for an extension into his advanced NBA years has turned into a battle for the franchise’s future, an existential threat to reshaping and redirecting the organization in a post-playoff reality.”

The contract extension would net Lillard the highest single-season pay in league history in 2027 at $55.3 million. Whether or not the Blazers would be interested in tying up that much cap space down the road is still unclear.

There have been several trade rumors recently surrounding the Blazers, including some involving Lillard and C.J. McCollum. A recent report came out detailing that the Philadelphia 76ers and Portland discussed a potential trade centered around Philadelphia’s Ben Simmons and Portland’s McCollum.

Lillard has downplayed many of the rumors and speculation that have come out regarding him potentially teaming up with Simmons and his future with the Blazers.

Lillard is in his 10th season in the NBA after being drafted by Portland in 2012. He has averaged 24.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game during his career so far. This season, Lillard is averaging 21.5 points, 4.0 rebounds and 7.8 assists per game with Portland.

Throughout his stint with Portland, Lillard has helped the Blazers reach the postseason in all but one season. Portland has reached the Western Conference Finals just once during Lillard’s time with the team.

The Blazers have gotten off to a bumpy start to the season so far, currently sitting at 11-14 in early December. Portland has lost six of its past seven games with a matchup against the Golden State Warriors ahead on Wednesday.