Damian Lillard met with Trail Blazers owner Paul Allen to discuss team’s future

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard and majority owner Paul Allen met before a game last Thursday so Lillard could “gather an understanding of the organization’s direction,” according to ESPN’s Chris Haynes.

Lillard had requested the meeting and it was reportedly a positive experience as a productive open forum for sharing ideas, per Haynes. Allen, the Microsoft co-founder who also owns the Seattle Seahawks and co-owns the Seattle Sounders, has been known to meet with marquee players before. Though Allen reportedly feared Lillard would request a trade, the two-time all-star primarily voiced confidence for the team and head coach Terry Stotts. The full ESPN report can be read here.

Portland is 25-22 this season while hanging onto the No. 7 seed, a solid but unspectacular showing in a year where the Trail Blazers hoped to build on last year’s momentum. To finish last season, Portland went 17-6 to finish .500 and sneak into the postseason, although they were swept by the Golden State Warriors in the first round.

Lillard and Allen reportedly discussed trade options for the Blazers, too. The New York Times’ Marc Stein reported earlier this month the team was interested in DeAndre Jordan, and also speculated that Portland may finally decide to trade one of their two guards, “most likely” C.J. McCollum.

It’s clear Portland is a fascinating team to watch as the Feb. 8 trade deadline approaches. They aren’t quite happy with their performance, but this team is still on track for the playoffs and ready to win now.