Lakers news: Fans go wild after Damian Lillard drops Twitter bombshell
GETTY Damian Lillard hinted he would be happy to play for the Lakers on Twitter today
Lillard enjoyed arguably the best year of his career during the regular season and was voted All-NBA First Team alongside James, Kevin Durant, Anthony Davis and newly-crowned MVP James Harden. The 27-year-old fired the Blazers to third seed in a stacked Western Conference before the team were unexpectedly walloped by the New Orleans Pelicans during a shocking first-round sweep. The manner of the Blazers’ defeat led to renewed calls for general manager Neil Olshey to consider splitting up high-scoring backcourt duo Lillard and CJ McCollum in favour of a stronger defensive regime. However, both Lillard and McCollum, who are close friends away from the court, strongly denied the need to sacrifice their backcourt chemistry in order to be successful during the team’s post-season exit interviews.
GETTY Lakers coach Luke Walton and team president Magic Johnson would have to sign off on the trade
It remains to be seen how the Blazers roster will look at the beginning of next season but fans were given a fright this afternoon when three-time All-Star Lillard hinted he would be more than happy to play in Los Angeles. Responding to a fan tweet asking his opinion of DeMarcus Cousins’ decision to join the Golden State Warriors’ Western Conference superteam, Lillard replied: “People can do what they want. “It’s not about loyalty because this is business...it’s just not my style.” Moments later, the California native was asked if he would be pleased with a hypothetical move to the Lakers, replying: “I’m a typically happy camper.” Lillard is believed to be unhappy with the Blazers’ decision to let backup center Ed Davis walk during free agency this week. The 29-year-old, who Lillard referred to as the Udonis Haslem to his Dwayne Wade, penned a one-year $4.4m deal with the Brooklyn Nets despite stating his desire to remain in Portland.
GETTY The Blazers have so far resisted calls to split up backcourt duo Lillard and McCollum