Lillard agreed to terms on a five-year contract worth more than $120 million, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press.
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That sure-footedness seems to be coming in the form of point guard Damian Lillard.
The exact figures of the extension will depend on how much the National Basteball Association salary cap actually rises in 2016, but sources said the Blazers are prepared to pay Lillard, 24, the maximum amount they’re allowed to and make him their designated player.
Update: As ESPN’s Chris Broussard tweets, Lillard’s maximum offer is lower than that of New Orleans superstar Anthony Davis because he has not yet met the “5th Year 30% Max” criteria.
Lillard went from Weber State to the sixth overall selection in the 2012 draft.
The Portland Trail Blazers are in serious danger of losing LaMarcus Aldridge in National Basteball Association free agency this summer.
That makes it possible, if not likely, that Lillard will be the lone returning starter in Portland next season.
Lillard, the Rookie of the Year in 2013, helped the Blazers reach the National Basteball Association playoffs for the second consecutive year, averaging 21.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds per game during the regular season. In addition to Aldridge and Batum, Robin Lopez and Wes Matthews are both unrestricted free agents who could command significant interest from other teams.
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Lillard has made two All-Star teams in his first three seasons in the league.
