Damian Lillard squashes Lakers link
Damian Lillard dismissed rumours he could be set to leave the Portland Trail Blazers any time soon, claiming he is more than happy where he is despite last week’s brief Twitter storm.
During an online Q&A with fans, the 27-year-old appeared to suggest he’d be happy suiting up in the famous purple-and-gold, joining LeBron James as a Laker this summer.
But speaking to NBA.com’s Forward Center, Lillard clarified the confusion: “I’m not unhappy. I love where I live, I love the organisation, I love our coaching staff, I love who I am.
“Like I said last year, it’s the urgency of wanting to make those steps in the right direction so we can compete.
“You’ve got people out here going all out to try and make it happen and I just want us to do the same thing. I feel like we’re trying to do that.”
The Blazers have so far struggled to strengthen during a tricky offseason, losing key man Ed Davis while Shabazz Napier and Pat Connaughton also look set to depart during free agency.
Seth Curry – brother of two-time MVP Steph – arrived on a two-year deal, while restricted free agent Jusuf Nurkic was brought back on a four-year $48m deal.
Kyle Anderson on the road
The San Antonio Spurs lost another key member of their roster just days after Tony Parker’s departure for Charlotte as Kyle Anderson was allowed to join the Memphis Grizzlies.
Anderson, a restricted free agent, was handed a four-year $37m offer sheet from the Grizzlies that Spurs executives declined to match.
The 24-year-old enjoyed a breakout year last season, averaging 7.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game – but fans were left more impressed by his defensive versatility than his stat line.
Analysing the former UCLA prospect’s skill set, Pounding The Rock writer Jesus Gomez said: “There’s a lot more to basketball than shooting, and Anderson is good at almost all of it.
“He can rebound, score in a pinch, find the open man and defend. With the league demanding positional flexibility, a guy that can realistically play both forward spots is valuable.”
Anderson was drafted by the Spurs with the final pick in the first round of the 2014 class.
Carmelo Anthony to Rockets?
Carmelo Anthony is likely to leave the Oklahoma City Thunder this summer, according to ESPN’s Royce Young and Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Thunder face an historic luxury tax bill after an aggressive summer of recruitment, racking up a $310m payroll after re-signing Paul George, Jeremi Grant and Raymond Felton while snapping up Nerlens Noel.
Anthony opted into the final year of his Thunder deal, worth around $28m, last month, leaving the franchise firmly in the red for the coming season.
But, according to Wojnarowski and Young, the team are exploring options to trade Anthony with teams looking to acquire a huge expiring deal.
The belief is that the four-time Olympic gold medallist would likely be waived, allowing him to hit free agency – and there are no shortage of suitors for his signature.
Houston, the Lakers and Miami are all reported to be keen on the 34-year-old despite a disappointing showing last season.
And, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin, the Rockets have stolen a march on his recruitment during summer league.
He tweeted: “Carmelo Anthony’s business manager, Bay Frazier, spent much of the first half of the Rockets-Warriors summer league game here in Vegas tonight sitting with a HOU contingent of Mike D’Antoni, Chris Paul, Tillman Fertitta and John Lucas II.”
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