Yahoo Sports NBA Insider Chris Haynes has posted an article this morning where he detailed Damian Lillard‘s unhappiness with the franchise after the mess surrounding the hire of a new Trail Blazers coach in Chauncey Billups.
The original quote surrounding Dame’s support of Billups may have been taken out of context, as Dame for the last 48 hours since the signing has been receiving serious hate around his supposed endorsement. In Haynes recently released article, he said that none of the candidates that were interviewed were suggestions by Dame.
WIth Billups history of an assault allegation in 1997, some parts of the Blazers fanbase assumed that Dame knew about this before saying he liked Billups as a candidate. But when ESPN NBA Insider was interviewed before a conference finals game yesterday, he said that the Blazers were fully aware of the allegations against Billups, that they had discussed them in-depth, and that they were comfortable with his explanation.
Though all this doesn’t add up, the main thing is that Dame is unhappy and has now fired a warning shot at the franchise through the Insider he is closest with, in Haynes.
Neil Olshey has messed this up, and he continues to struggle to take accountability for things. Although it may not have gotten to him officially requesting a trade, the franchise needs to tread carefully, and maybe even go back on the hiring of Billups if that’s what it takes to appease Dame.
A press conference is scheduled in a few days where they will officially announce the new head coach. These next few days may well decide Dame’s future in Portland.