Lillard: Winning title 'at the top of my list' as twilight of career approaches
Amid a long-spanning planned exit from the Portland Trail Blazers, superstar point guard Damian Lillard is clear about his priorities as he reaches the end of his prime.
"The desire (to win a championship) now is as high as it's probably going to be," Lillard told Andscape's Marc J. Spears, "That’s literally the thing at the top of my list."
Lillard confirmed he requested a trade earlier in the offseason but declined to offer details about his reported preferred landing spot of the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat.
The 33-year-old previously had issues with Portland's younger roster, which has failed to compete in a loaded Western Conference. Despite a career average of 25.7 points per game in the postseason, Lillard has only advanced past the first round three times and has never made the NBA Finals.
Though he intends to leave Portland, Lillard said he remains committed to the city that he's played in for 11 seasons.
"I love the city of Portland," Lillard said. "Every initiative that I've started, I'll continue, and I'll finish regardless of anything."