Lillard: Blazers would've won title if Aldridge didn't leave

Damian Lillard believes he and LaMarcus Aldridge could've led the Trail Blazers to a championship together had his former teammate decided to stay in Portland.

"One thing I think about in my career is like, if he would've never went to San Antonio, we would've won at least once already," Lillard said on a recent episode of the "Club 520 Podcast." "'Cause I would've came into my own, but he was that good."

Lillard and Aldridge were teammates in Portland for three seasons from 2012-15, after which Aldridge left the Trail Blazers to join the San Antonio Spurs as a free agent. The Blazers finished with a 54-28 record and won their first playoff series since 2000 during the duo's second season together.

Aldridge spent six seasons in San Antonio and another two with the Brooklyn Nets before retiring in March 2023. He never won an NBA title.

Lillard, who's also yet to win a championship, is entering his 13th season in the NBA and second with the Milwaukee Bucks.