Damian Lillard: I thought Trail Blazers were trading me to Knicks a few years ago

By
Dan Feldman,

By
Dan Feldman

Published June 11, 2020 11:00 AM

Damian Lillard vs. Knicks in Madison Square Garden — NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 22: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers shoots the ball against the New York Knicks on November 22, 2016 at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

All-NBA teams in the previous six seasons:

Damian Lillard: 4

New York Knicks: 0

Could Lillard have provided the Knicks the star power they so desperate covet?

Lillard, in a Q&A with Lisa Robinson of Vanity Fair:

As a Knicks fan, I wish you would come here. Madison Square Garden is so great.

I thought I was headed there a few years ago; I was hearing trade rumors. The Garden is my favorite place to play.

I have no idea when this supposedly happened.

Lillard quickly became a star after the Trail Blazers drafted him in 2012. He has consistently professed his loyalty to Portland. The Trail Blazers signed him to two super-max extensions. Teams rarely willingly give up a player like that.

The Knicks have also usually lacked the assets to trade for a superstar.

Trade rumors can spread from legitimate reports or concocted ideas. But a trade rumor that made Lillard actually believe he was headed to New York? I want to hear more details.