NBA superstar Damian Lillard has revealed he held secret trade talks to potentially join forces with LeBron James at the four-time MVP’s mansion in Los Angeles.
Lillard - a six-time All-Star - was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers with the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and has plied his trade with the franchise throughout his entire career. The point guard has been linked with a move away from the team for the last few seasons as he continues to chase a maiden championship.
He has been linked with a move to the Los Angeles Lakers among other teams over the last few years, and Lillard sensationally revealed James and fellow superstar Anthony Davis attempted to entice him into joining the storied franchise. The three stars talked about the possibility of playing together on the Lakers over dinner and wine at James’ home in LA.
The meeting occurred following the Trail Blazers’ first round exit from the NBA Playoffs for the second successive season, leaving Lillard feeling uncertain about his future. During an interview with Logan Murdock of The Ringer, Lillard revealed the meeting with James and Davis during the summer of 2021.
“He was just like, ‘Pull up to the house,’” Lillard told The Ringer. “And I’m like, s***, I’m out here. Tomorrow is the only day I ain’t got nothing planned out. I can pull up for a little bit.”
Lillard suggested he was sat across from James and Davis, who suggested they needed help in their attempts to win another championship following their NBA title win in 2020. During the evening, the trio enjoyed expensive wine and Italian cuisine as they discussed future plans.
“We just chopped it up just about the possibilities,” Lillard said.
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“‘What’s going on with you?’” Lillard revealed James asked him. “And I was like, ‘I really don’t know what we’re doing,’” Lillard said. “It was just a conversation like that.
“I wasn’t even looking at it like a recruiting process. The whole time I was like, ‘I play for the Blazers.’ My only point is, let’s give ourselves a chance.
“I wasn’t sending no shots or sending no threats. I’m just honest. When I get asked a question, I answer the question. Because these questions had never been asked.”
Lillard’s Trail Blazers begin their 82-game 2022/23 season on October 19 against the Sacramento Kings at the Golden 1 Center in California.
