Lillard in talks over Trail Blazers future

Seven-time All-Star guard Damian Lillard and his agent met with the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday to discuss the franchise's direction, Turner Sports reported.

Lillard is reportedly unhappy with the team's decision to use the No 3 overall pick in last week's draft instead of trading it to acquire a high-level co-star such as New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson.

The Trail Blazers drafted NBA G League Ignite point guard Scoot Henderson with the third pick.

Lillard, 32, has played his entire 11-year career with Portland, who drafted him with the No 6 overall pick in 2012.

He averaged a franchise-record 32.2 points per game in 2022-23, the third-highest clip in the league, but Portland finished 33-49 and missed the playoffs for the second straight season.

Lillard, who is represented by Aaron Goodwin, is scheduled to earn $45.6 million for the 2023-24 season. Lillard signed a four-year, $176.3 million deal in July 2022.

Reid's reward

The Minnesota Timberwolves have kept center Naz Reid off the market by agreeing to terms on a three-year, $42 million contract that comes with a player option after two seasons.

The deal, which was struck Sunday night, was confirmed Monday by Reid's agents, Sean Kennedy and Jeff Schwartz of Excel Sports Management.

Reid was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent this weekend following a breakout year on both ends of the court for the Timberwolves, who already have made major investments in big men Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns yet still valued Reid's upside enough to make him a well-paid backup.

"When we struggled early, he was one of the guys that played well," coach Chris Finch said after the season ended.

"He made the system work with his decision-making, whether he played the '4' or the backup '5' or started. Then when KAT (Karl-Anthony Towns) came back, he naturally settled in as a key bench player. He was playing at a high level. He just proved he can play in all these different roles, which is valuable, then obviously just a perfect system fit."

Undrafted out of LSU in 2019, the 6-foot-9 (2.06 meters) Reid has become one of the most popular players inside and outside the team for his steady development, even-keeled demeanor and ferocious dunks. He averaged 11.5 points and shot 53.7 percent from the floor in 68 games in 2022-23, both career bests.

When Towns missed 52 games with a strained calf, Reid proved his value while his status in the rotation was elevated. In four games when his playing time topped 30 minutes, Reid averaged 27 points and 11 rebounds. After he suffered a broken left wrist during the final week of the regular season, Reid was clearly missed in Minnesota's first-round playoff series loss to eventual NBA champion Denver.

Agencies