Damian Lillard said in a recent Q&A he is committed to the Blazers’ future.
As we close in on the official trade deadline (Thursday, 3 p.m. ET), keep up with the latest rumblings around the NBA — and the latest deals that have been agreed to — as deadline day approaches.
Feb. 8 | Feb. 9
Lillard: My ‘heart’ is with Blazers
After Portland traded CJ McCollum yesterday in a blockbuster move amid a seeming rebuild, Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard talked with Casey Holdahl on Blazers.com. In the Q&A interview, Lillard reflected on his time with McCollum and, when asked about his feelings on the state of the team said: “For me, my heart is Portland Trail Blazer. I want to win it. I know that I have a plan that’s going to put me on my best level when I come back to play. And I want our team to fit that.”
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— 7:41 a.m.
Embiid open to Simmons’ return
Whether or not Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons gets by the Feb. 10 deadline remains to be seen. After the 76ers’ 114-109 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday, star center Joel Embiid sounded open to Simmons return should that happen, per ESPN. “Anybody is welcome to play. If you want to be part of us, I’m sure everybody will be fine with it, but you have to show up and want to be there.”
— 7:22 a.m.
Webster: Dragic’s contract a ‘unique piece’
The Toronto Raptors have an intriguing potential trade piece in veteran guard Goran Dragic, who has appeared in five games for the team this season. His expiring contract — which is worth $19 million — could make Toronto a player in the trade deadline, Raptors GM Bobby Webster told the Toronto Star‘s Doug Smith of Dragic’s contract. “I don’t know about have to (make a trade) but I think it’s a unique piece. There’s not many of them around the league so you get to be in conversations that you typically aren’t.”
— 7:03 a.m.