https://bleacherreport.com/articles...de-rumors-years-ago-thought-deal-would-happen Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard apparently almost swapped the Rose City for the Big Apple at some point in the recent past. During an interview with Lillard, Vanity Fair's Lisa Robinson referenced her New York Knicks fandom and said she'd like to see the five-time All-Star play for the team. "I thought I was headed there a few years ago; I was hearing trade rumors," Lillard said in response. "The Garden is my favorite place to play."
The only thing I could think is remembering hearing interest in Porzingis in the draft? But at that draft, lillard was a 2 time all star after just his 3rd season. Unless olshey thought that was lillards peak? Even still, #4 alone wouldnt be enough to get lillard, and they didnt really have anything else of value
Damn for Dame to admit this it must have been real close to happening. I wonder what the hell kind of story was that? Might have been a brief point when Dame wasn’t happy in Portland? Interesting
Another thing is, these Large Media Cities like to pump up a lot of rumor stuff. Screamin' A, and many of the ESPN NBA Los Angeles reporters love to get these things going. Back in 2018 , i was like S.T.F.U. you L.A. Sports Media Whores.
His agent was probsbly approached by the Knicks, who probably made an offer to the Blazers. No freaking way Olshey didn't laugh like Tom Hanks in The Money Pit at that phone call.
The timeline makes sense. That was the year Lamarcus (and pretty much the rest of the team) left. We did trade Batum on draft day. Maybe we were considering a full rebuild. If so Porzingas would have been an attractive rebuilding block.
It would also be coming on the heels of those 3 nice games from CJ against memphis in the playoffs. Could be there was thought that he could take over lead guard duties, and match him with Porzingis. Still feels unlikely
that was 2015 and the article said 2018...? no way, IMO, that Olshey would have traded Dame to NY in 2018. The Knicks only had the 9th pick, KP was injured, and their roster sucked but yeah, I could see Olshey's affection for CJ being a factor in 2015 in any trade-Dame discussions, especially if it was the Knicks unprotected pick, pre-lottery
The article was pure speculation, and, IMO, speculation that doesn't really fit. He says he heard rumors of being moved, and then the article guesses it was in 2018, when Stephen A. said Dame had an understanding with Paul that if he got frustrated with team's ability to land a star, they would move him. Why would he "hear rumors" of being traded if he was the one asking out?
Why was there no tweet from Wojo about this? There is very little if any news in the NBA that doesn't get uncovered by someone close to the NBA. For it to come out now sounds like it's been slow news for the media so they dig up shit. No Wojo, no rumor.
In the article Dame just said a few years ago he heard rumors. I am saying it was 2015 and if he was told that was five years ago he'd be all DM, time flies.
Dame said he heard the RUMORS. There are rumors that have some legs and some that are fabricated. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rumor
He actually said “he thought” he was headed to NY. I’m sure Dame doesn’t take hearsay seriously, but if your agent or whatever is telling you stuff then that’s when you might listen
