According to Yahoo’s Chris Haynes, LeBron James attempted to court Damian Lillard into joining the Los Angeles Lakers while in the offseason. Lillard was visiting Los Angeles to make an appearance in a music video when the Lakers’ star player among star players reached out to him. Lillard was invited to attend a lunch with James and Anthony Davis to discuss a possible future with the Lakers and what a future team could like with Lillard on board.
As reported by Haynes, Lillard said the lunch wasn’t a no-holds-barred recruitment effort, but rather an attempt by James to pitch the idea of a future alongside him and Davis at the Lakers. Lillard currently plays for the Portland Trail Blazers.
“He painted the picture to me that if I were to leave, the situation could look like this,” Lillard reportedly said.
Haynes describes that the three superstars spoke about the weaknesses of their respective teams and what improvements could be made to prevent further losses.
It’s no secret that James wants Lillard to join the team. Lillard has proved himself to be one of the NBA’s best guards and scorers. Haynes reports that he spoke with Lillard and Lillard made it clear that though he knows the potential of joining the super-team of the Lakers, he has no interest in leaving Portland.
However, reportedly Lillard did relay to Haynes that he is unsure about the ability of his Portland team to take home the championship. Many had thought that Lillard would surely request to be traded out for greener pastures. But with the hiring of the new head coach, Chauncey Billups, Lillard is ready to give the team another shot.
“I want to win here. I’ve attached myself to the history of this organization and this city”, said Lillard.
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