Damian Lillard has faced a lot of backlash recently over his trade request, but now Basketball Hall of Famer Garry Payton has shown his support for him. Since the news broke of Lillard’s demand to be transferred to the Miami Heat, the critics have been all around him. Lillard has spent 11 seasons with Portland but has managed only one conference final appearance with the team. Now he is looking to win a championship, and his current preference is the Miami Heat, as he wants to play for them only.
Gary Payton supports Lillard’s demands
Despite Lillard’s demand, Portland is unwilling to send him there. Also, the Miami Heat don’t have the assets that other teams could package for the 33-year-old. Damian still has four years left on his contract, so the Blazers also have the leverage to be patient if they get the right price. Meanwhile, the former Rookie of the Year has gotten some negative comments, but Gary Payton doesn’t see anything wrong with his demand, and in fact, he is promoting the idea of Lillard joining Miami.
Recently, in an interview, Payton stated that “everyone should chase the championship because that’s what we are playing basketball for. If a player wants to go somewhere else and has a chance to win the championship, then they should definitely go there. Payton also cited his own example and said that when he showed the desire to transfer to Miami, this was the vision he saw as well.
Lillard is currently at the peak of his career
When Gary Payton signed a veteran minimum contract of $1.1 million with Miami Heat in 2005, he had a one-year deal. The team won the championship in his first season. Payton played a total of 81 games, that time he was at the end of his career but Lillard is currently at his peak. Whenever the star players are looking for favorable conditions, they face criticism and Lilard is also at that time now.
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