Are the Portland Trailblazers wasting Damian Lillard's prime?

Are the Portland Trailblazers wasting Damian Lillard’s prime?

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 23: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers celebrates as he points to his wrist after scoring a three-pot basket in the closing seconds of the game against Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on October 23, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) /

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Mar 1, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; New Orleans Pelicans shooting guard CJ McCollum (3) and Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard (0) look on during the first half at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /

Front office engagement

Last season, just before the trade deadline, the Portland Trailblazers traded shooting guard CJ McCollum to the New Orleans Pelicans. While the Blazers sent two additional role players to New Orleans and received several players in return, the purpose of the deal was primarily to start afresh and take the team in a new direction. For years, the team had been built around the idea that McCollum, along with Lillard could become the best backcourt in the NBA and guide the team to a title. Those aspirations did not come true.

While the team did have some success in the Lillard and McCollum era, they were only able to reach the Conference Finals once in 2019. The juggernaut Golden State Warriors held the Western Conference firmly in their grasp before additional contenders like the Denver Nuggets and the Phoenix Suns emerged. Understanding that their window of opportunity had come and gone, upper management decided to move on from McCollum, even though he was still a highly productive player.

Similarly, the team had decided to part ways with Head Coach Terry Stots in June of 2021, although he led the team to the playoffs in eight out of his nine seasons at the helm. These moves demonstrate that Portland’s front office is not complacent. If they were, they would retain the coach who led them to the 2019 Conference Finals and would not have moved on from a player of McCollum’s caliber. A lot of franchises would be satisfied with making the playoffs every season and selling out the arena for every home game. However, it appears that these achievements are not enough to satisfy the Portland Trailblazers’ team of decision-makers.