Lillard amid trade rumors: Sometimes words are 'being put in my mouth'
Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard set the record straight regarding the offseason trade rumors involving him.
"It's a lot of things being said. Sometimes words being put in my mouth and I haven't said anything," Lillard told reporters Thursday at USA Basketball training camp.
"All of the people who've covered me since I've been in the NBA, they'd know that if there's something to be said - or if I think something or have something to say - I'm going to say it. And I'm going to stand on it," he added.
The New York Knicks have reportedly prepared for the possibility of dealing for Lillard, but the six-time All-Star hasn't publicly demanded a trade.
The backlash tied to the Trail Blazers' head coach search and the team's inability to build a title contender around Lillard are factors that could push the six-time All-NBA selection out of Portland, sources told Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes.
However, Lillard said Thursday the organization knows exactly where he stands.
"Anything that I have to say, I'm going to say it directly to (president of basketball operations) Neil (Olshey), and I'm going to address it directly with my team," he said.
Lillard is under contract with Portland through at least the 2023-24 campaign. He's averaged 24.7 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.2 boards since the Blazers drafted him sixth overall in 2012.
The 30-year-old is the club's all-time leader in 3-point field goals, and he trails only Clyde Drexler in total points.