NBA: Tracking 2015 Free Agency, Contract News
By Phil Watson
Damian Lillard closing in on $120 million extension
According to a report, the Portland Trail Blazers and All-Star point guard Damian Lillard are finalizing a five-year extension that will be worth more than $120 million.
ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reported the deal, citing league sources. It would take effect in 2016-17, after his rookie contract expires.
Lillard was the sixth overall pick by the Trail Blazers in the 2012 NBA Draft and has been an All-Star each of the last two seasons after earning Rookie of the Year honors in 2013-14.
He averaged a career-high 21 points per game last season to go with 6.2 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals a night, while also posting the best defensive rating of his young career.
Lillard did slump from 3-point range last season, shooting a career-worst 34.3 percent during the regular season before putting up a 5-for-31 clunker from deep in a five-game loss to the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs.
Lillard led the NBA in minutes played in 2012-13, the first rookie to do so since Elvin Hayes of the San Diego Rockets in 1968-69.
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