Blazers and Damian Lillard nearing $120m max extension
Damian Lillard is set to earn $270million over five years, with the point guard nearing a max extension with the Trail Blazers.
The Portland Trail Blazers are nearing a two-year max extension with Damian Lillard worth $120million. According to a report from Shams Charania of The Athletic and Stadium, the extension – which will take his contract through the 2026-27 NBA season – will see the point guard paid $270m over the five years on his current contract.
Lillard is a six-time All-Star who has averaged 24.6 points per game since entering the league as the sixth pick in the 2012 draft. Only four players – James Harden, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Stephen Curry – have averaged more in that span. However, he played only 29 games last season due to an abdominal injury and averaged 24 points per game, his fewest since his third season in the league in 2014-15 (21).
With Lillard on the sidelines and former backcourt partner C.J. McCollum traded to the New Orleans Pelicans, the Blazers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2012-13 – Lillard’s rookie year. Despite the disappointing campaign, Lillard remains the face of the franchise and, by handing him a lucrative extension, the Blazers have made it clear he will continue to be the focal point as they look to get back among the contenders in the Western Conference.