Damian Lillard Responds To Trade Rumors: "There's A Lot Of Words Being Put In My Mouth..."

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It seems like every year, more and more rumors get passed about Damian Lillard's potential departure from the Blazers.

This summer, after all the drama surrounding the head coaching search, it really was no surprise to see the rumors surface again.

This time, though, Lillard himself has responded to them, seemingly downplaying all the noise regarding his future:

"There's a lot of things being said and words being put in my mouth -- and I haven't said anything."

The Blazers have struggled to surround Dame with a title-contending roster over the years, no doubt due to some poor decision-making by the front office. Couple that alongside the whole Chauncey Billups hiring (in which some of the fans even turned on Lillard) and it's easy to see why some might be convinced he's ready to leave.

But Damian has always preached loyalty, and there is no reason to believe he'll turn his back on that principle now.

For the past 8 years, Dame has been a staple of Blazers basketball, helping lead his team to respectable finishes in the West. Obviously, he must be growing impatient with the lack of results, as would any star in his position.

Still, there is time for him to grab one -- and it's up to the Blazers to help him make that happen.