Report: Lillard met with Blazers owner over direction of franchise

John Chick ·
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 22: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on January 22, 2018 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. 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 2018 NBAE
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Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard met with team owner Paul Allen last week to gain assurance that the team was devoted to pursuing a championship-caliber roster, sources told ESPN's Chris Haynes.

Allen feared prior to the meeting that Lillard could request a trade, sources told Haynes. No such request has been reported.

Lillard, 27, is under contract with Portland until 2021. The Blazers are on track to make the postseason for the fifth straight year, but it's unlikely they currently have the talent to make a championship run.

It's not uncommon for Allen - the co-founder of Microsoft who also owns the Seattle Seahawks - to meet privately with star players of his teams, according to Haynes.

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