Damian Lillard is not set to become a free agent for two more seasons, but the Portland Trail Blazers could lock him in for even longer than that this summer.
Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports reports that Lillard is expected to sign a four-year, $191 million supermax contract extension with the Blazers this offseason. Lillard will be eligible for the supermax if he is named to one of the three All-NBA teams, and that is a virtual certainty after he averaged 25.8 points, 4.6 rebounds and a career-high 6.9 assists per game this season.
A four-year extension would keep Lillard under contract with Portland through age 35, so the likelihood of him playing his entire career there seems high.
Lillard’s new deal would likely include a player option, according to Haynes. He said after the Blazers were swept by the Golden State Warriors on Monday that he is not yet focused on his contract situation.
While the end result was disappointing for Portland, Lillard brought us some of the most entertaining moments of the postseason. His importance to the Blazers cannot be overstated, and it’s no surprise they are willing to make that type of financial commitment to the 28-year-old.
