Damian Lillard doesn’t want to see the day when the Trail Blazers are no longer in Portland.
While there is no imminent possibility of a Trail Blazers relocation, the NBA franchise and the City of Portland have yet to see eye to eye on where the funding should come from for the renovation of the Moda Center in Portland, Ore.
According to Jason Quick of The Athletic, the Blazers and the City of Portland must agree by December to receive $365 million in state bonds. Otherwise, the Trail Blazers’ chances of staying in Portland would get blurrier.
Lillard can’t seem to grasp the idea of the Blazers being in a different location.
“As much as I’m a Trail Blazer, I’m a Portland person. … I just don’t see that happening, the veteran point guard said during Monday’s Media Day.
“And hopefully that’s what it ends up being. I just don’t see a world where the Trail Blazers aren’t in Portland. I just don’t.”
Dame on the Blazers potentially leaving Portland:
— Blazers Lead (@BlazersLead) September 28, 2026
"I just don't see that happening…I don't see a world where the Trail Blazers aren't in Portland" pic.twitter.com/4Etqack5Td
There is still time to work on an agreement between the key parties that will ensure the Blazers will be in Portland for many more years to come. For now, hearing someone like Lillard voice his support for keeping the Blazers in Portland is comforting, at least, for the fans of the team.
The Blazers will open their 2026-27 NBA campaign on Oct. 21 against the Phoenix Suns at Moda Center.
