Damian Lillard Says He'd Sign With Lakers Or Jazz If Trail Blazers Didn't Want Him

Grossly underrated NBA point guard Damian Lillard held a Twitter Q & A on Wednesday, and kept it 100 percent real when fans asked the tough questions.

When a fan asked Lillard what team he would sign with if he had his choice of any in the association currently, the Portland Trail Blazers star responded with a surprisingly honest answer.

@Dame_Lillard if you had the opportunity to sign with any team in the league today other than trailblazers what team would it be?

— Frenchie ❄️ (@Mohamed_2_0_6) June 14, 2017

If blazers said they didn’t want me… Utah Jazz or Lakers https://t.co/jep3V9qRsS

— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) June 14, 2017

From theScore:

Though the clubs are in vastly different positions, they both could use a leader to run the point.

The Jazz dubbed George Hill their floor general this season, and he was solid when healthy but was sidelined for 33 games due to myriad injuries. Utah still managed to make the playoffs for the first time in five years and reach the semifinals. However, Hill’s future with the team is up in the air as he’s a free agent this offseason and the Jazz are more focused on keeping All-Star Gordon Hayward.

Meanwhile, sophomore guard D’Angelo Russell was thrown into the role for L.A., but he isn’t ready. The rebuilding Lakers finished 2016-17 near the bottom of the league standings for the fourth consecutive season and hope to pick up their future star at the one-spot in next week’s draft, where they’re set to make the No. 2 selection.

At 26 years old, Lillard doesn’t quite fit in with the Baby Lakers’ timeline. Regardless, it’s not hard to understand the lure of the Lake Show, what with the rich history, limelight, and endorsement deals. Plus, Lillard’s from nearby Oakland.

The two-time All-Star has four years and about $115.56 million remaining on his contract with Portland. He recorded a career-high 27 points to go along with 5.9 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 35.9 minutes per game for the Trail Blazers, who snuck into the playoffs but overall had a disappointing campaign.

Perhaps that prompted a change of heart. Last year, an L.A. fan asked Lillard to join the Lakers and he declined, saying he’s trying to replicate Kobe Bryant’s 20-year run in L.A. in Portland.

Although I’m sure both the Los Angeles Lakers and Utah Jazz were thrilled to hear they hold a spot in Lillard’s heart, it’s hard to imagine either team would ultimately make a move considering the king’s ransom Portland would want in return for his services.