Damian Lillard is one of the NBA’s most loyal stars, but that doesn’t mean other NBA stars haven’t tried to recruit him.
In the summer of 2021, Lillard was in town shooting a music video when Los Angeles superstar LeBron James invited him to his Brentwood estate.
“He was just like, ‘Stop at home,'” Lillard said in a recent interview with Logan Murdock of The ring. “And I’m like, fuck, I’m here. Tomorrow is the only day I have nothing planned. I can stop for a bit.
At the time, Lillard was nearing the end of his contract with the Blazers. Both Portland and Los Angeles came out of the first round in the 2021 playoffs, opening the door to a mutually beneficial partnership.
Lillard had dinner at the James Estate with LeBron and Anthony Davis.
“I didn’t even see it as a recruiting process,” Lillard added. “All the time I was like, ‘I’m playing for the Blazers.’ My only point is, let’s give ourselves a chance. I wasn’t sending shots or threats. I’m just being honest. When I’m asked a question, I answer the question. Because those questions never had been asked.
Much like he has his entire career, Lillard ultimately decided to stay with the team that selected him as the No. 6 overall pick in 2012. He signed a max $225 million contract extension with the franchise earlier this summer – locking him through the 2026-27 season.
“People make a joke out of it sometimes, like, ‘Man, he’s too loyal, he doesn’t want to win, he just wants his money,'” he said. “I’m not taking anything away from these guys. I think a lot of times, because of my position, people try to put my position on it like I’m putting it down or saying something bad about guys moving. And I’m not. I just stand in my place about what I believe. They can do whatever they want; if that’s what makes them happy, then do it.