Report: Major backlash from coaching search and contender concerns may push Damian Lillard out of Portland

It appears superstar Damian Lillard is starting to get disgruntled with the Portland Trail Blazers.

As a matter of fact, the guard may be on the verge of requesting a trade due to some recent backlash.

“The enormous backlash from the Portland Trail Blazers’ process to hire a new coach and his concerns on whether a championship contender can be built have become factors that may push the franchise player — Damian Lillard — out the door, league sources told Yahoo Sports,” reported Chris Haynes of Yahoo! Sports.

The Blazers got bounced in the first round in six games by the Denver Nuggets. The loss led to head coach Terry Stotts parting ways with the franchise.

While the Blazers showed interest in bringing in NBA legend Jason Kidd, they were rebuffed by the former champion. Lillard initially wanted the organization to sign Kidd.

Now, the team seems to be closing in on hiring former Finals MVP Chauncey Billups as the next head coach. However, Lillard is taking some flack from Blazers fans for the potential hire on social media due to Billups’ past allegations.

“Lillard has remained loyal to Portland in large due to the tremendous fan base,” Haynes wrote. “But over the last few days, he’s seen some of those same fans attacking him on social media for a pending coaching hire he played no part in consummating, sources said.”

Lillard, 30, has played with the Blazers for his entire career.

The All-Star is one of the best guards in the NBA. He has career averages of 24.7 points, 6.6 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game.

Although the Blazers got beat by the shorthanded Nuggets in the first round, they saw some historic outings form Lillard. The veteran collected a career-high 34.3 points and 10.2 assists per game during the 2021 playoffs.

Surely, numerous teams are eyeing the status of Lillard.