Milwaukee Bucks standout Damian Lillard is entertaining the idea of becoming a part-owner of the Portland Trail Blazers once his career on the court comes to a close.
When asked about the prospect, Lillard expressed genuine interest, stating, “Absolutely, absolutely. I’ll definitely be a participant in that.”
The 33-year-old has cemented his legacy as a Trail Blazers icon, having spent the first 11 seasons of his illustrious career in Portland. Lillard holds the title of the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, and his remarkable 2,387 three-pointers rank him at the pinnacle among players to have donned the Blazers’ jersey.
Bucks' Damian Lillard Sounds Off On Possible Ownership with @trailblazers:
"Absolutely, absolutely, I'll definitely be a participant in that, @Dame_Lillard tells me. #RIPCity #FearTheDeer #NBA pic.twitter.com/xqlxy9lAaa
— Landon Buford (@LandonBuford) February 10, 2024
Following the conclusion of the 2022-2023 season, which marked the Blazers’ second consecutive campaign with a subpar record, Lillard found himself traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in October 2023. This transaction was part of a three-team deal involving the Phoenix Suns.
The question of who will assume ownership of the Trail Blazers has loomed large since the passing of longtime team owner Paul Allen in October 2018. Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, reportedly made a substantial $2 billion bid to purchase the team in 2022, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
However, Paul Allen’s sister, Jody Allen, declined the offer and issued a statement asserting her decision not to sell.
While Lillard is intrigued by the idea of partial ownership, it appears to be a venture that may need to wait several years, given his ongoing status as one of the premier point guards in the NBA.
His remarkable performance earned him an eighth All-Star selection in 2024, as he averaged 25.0 points and 6.8 assists per game, shooting at percentages of 42.7% from the field, 34.5% from beyond the arc, and an impressive 92.2% from the free-throw line.
