As the effects of the overturning of Roe v. Wade ripple throughout the nation, notable professional athletes and teams speak out while many remain silent. There’s an intersection between social justice and sports not because people are changing, but because platforms are. In 1969, Olympic gold medalist Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their fists
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers acquired Pistons forward Jerami Grant the day before the 2022 NBA Draft, and didn’t give up much in immediate assets. Grant has flourished in his time with the Pistons, in part due to the saying, “Well, someone has to score.” But Grant is a capable wing, and has been on the
Caleb Swanigan, Purdue Boilermakers. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Blue Jays: 3 left-handed bats that Toronto should trade for by Eric Treuden Former Purdue basketball star Caleb Swanigan has sadly passed away at the young age of 25. Purdue basketball fans are in mourning, as former Boilermakers standout Caleb Swanigan passed away at the age of
Can the Los Angeles Lakers trade for Damian Lillard after the Blazers dealt C.J. McCollum to the Pelicans? Why a deal is still unlikely: To put it simply, despite the Lakers’ fanbase’s insistence that they trade for Lillard, it’s still quite unlikely. Unless the trade between the Blazers and Pelicans for C.J. McCollum loaded the
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JANUARY 30: CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the game against the Chicago Bulls at United Center on January 30, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of
Both the Sacramento Kings and New Orleans Pelicans took bold swings head of the NBA trade deadline, but where will those moves ultimately take them? Both the blessing and the curse of building around someone like Zion Williamson is the urgency he places upon the present. A player this dominant, this soon with this kind of
As the NBA trade deadline approaches, the Blazers face the franchise-defining choice of trading Damian Lillard or holding onto him for another playoff run. The trade deadline typically serves as an inflection point of the NBA season, both for the league as a whole and for individual teams. Championship contenders try to upgrade their rosters,
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. In this season, as COVID-19 has pushed player absences and roster uncertainty to historic levels, reliable depth has never been more important — particularly at the point guard position.
As the Portland Trail Blazers take on the Golden State Warriors, Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard addressed rumors about his unhappiness in Portland. There’s been a lot of talk surrounding Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers this week, and Lillard has heard enough of it. As the 11-14 Trail Blazers prepare to take on the
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Since the season began, any NBA trade rumors or fantasies have mostly been built around Ben Simmons and the ongoing fiasco in Philadelphia, or lingering pessimism about the Blazers’
While the Suns and Warriors have taken the NBA by storm, the Utah Jazz have quietly improved upon last year’s dominant play with the league’s best offense. The Warriors and Suns currently sit at the center of the NBA world’s attention this week, and rightfully so. The two teams have won a combined 36 of
Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. (Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports) UFC Vegas 39: Mackenzie Dern vs. Marina Rodriguez preview and prediction by Curtis Calhoun Alex Cora gives ominous update on Chris Sale before postseason by Scott Rogust Golden State Warriors’ Steph Curry becomes one of the first victims of new NBA rule change. Monday
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. This summer, Damian Lillard has repeatedly stated his commitment to winning with the Portland Trail Blazers but the obvious elephant in the room is the roster around him. The
The Cavaliers’ young frontcourt trio might pan out, but is it worth the investment the team made to bring them Lauri Markkanen, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley together? It’s difficult to grasp the rationale behind the Cavaliers giving Lauri Markkanen $67 million over the next four years, even before accounting for their other moves this
Damian Lillard and Ben Simmons need to be traded. While a straight-up swap would work, it’s more fun to get a third team involved. It’s time to stop dancing around it. It’s time to make the move. The rumors, swirling. The sources, anonymous. The players, cryptic. Two enormous dominos from opposite coastlines still have to
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. Damian Lillard is committed to the Portland Trail Blazers. He’s been repeating this fact for months, using different words and different degrees of intensity but the core message has
The Whiteboard is The Step Back’s daily basketball newsletter, covering the NBA, WNBA and more. Subscribe here to get it delivered to you via email each morning. According to a Sunday story by Derek Bodner of The Athletic, for the 76ers “the goal is less to trade Ben Simmons and more to acquire Damian Lillard.” It’s a
Ben Simmons apparently thinks he has too much of a social life to play for the Portland Trail Blazers or Toronto Raptors. After an embarrassing playoff performance, the rumor mill surrounding Ben Simmons has been churning rapidly. The 25-year-old still has four years and $145 million remaining on his contract with the Philadelphia 76ers, but
Damian Lillard and Carmelo Anthony talk during the third quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Matt Olson walks off Padres in thrilling late-innings comeback for Athletics (Video) by Alicia de Artola As the now Laker, Carmelo Anthony bids his farewell to Portland via Instagram. But Damian Lillard comes with a
Steven A Smith isn’t sure Damian Lillard will leave the Trail Blazers but says if he does request a trade, the New York Knicks will be the target. Damian Lillard’s future with the Trail Blazers is still very much up in the air. Will he stick around and work it out? Will he request a
A pair of surprising lottery teams are reportedly aggressively pursuing disgruntled Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. Forget the NBA Finals for a minute. The next-biggest story in the league right now is the uncertainty around Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers. Although a trade this summer still feels unlikely, when it comes down
Damian Lillard’s waffling about his future leaves the Portland Trail Blazers with no good options this offseason. On Friday, Damian Lillard did everything but request a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. In an interview with Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, Lillard made it clear that he’s no longer content with the status quo in
Damian Lillard should have a big trade market if the Portland Trail Blazers put him on the block. After nine years in the Pacific Northwest, All-NBA point guard Damian Lillard may have played his last game for the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard has been all-league on six occasions, as well as a six-time Western Conference All-Star.
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, New York Knicks. (Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports) 3 teams who should be ready to sign Allen Robinson next offseason by Brad Berreman The New York Knicks will have to give up the farm to be able to trade for Damian Lillard. With Portland Trail Blazers star point guard Damian
Damian Lillard has a slew of trade options and the Philadelphia 76ers have the right pieces to get him out of Portland if that’s what he wants. As Damian Lillard has been preparing for the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, he has told numerous outlets including NBC Sports that he’s adamant about keeping trade rumors in the
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports The Los Angeles Lakers would be a juggernaut if they traded for Damian Lillard, but that deal with the Portland Trail Blazers isn’t going to happen. The whole NBA world is buzzing about the possibility of the Portland Trail Blazers trading Damian Lillard. The star point guard is uncertain about being
Damian Lillard may be traded this offseason, but probably not to the Golden State Warriors. With Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard not exactly thrilled with the franchise hiring Chauncey Billups as their next head coach, he could ask for a trade, but he is probably not going to the Golden State Warriors. Lillard may
Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports With Damian Lillard reportedly considering asking for a trade, these are the teams who could get the Trail Blazer’s attention with a compelling offer. After their early exit from the 2021 NBA Playoffs, the Portland Trail Blazers knew they’d face a pivotal offseason. It just got a whole lot more dramatic. Talisman
PORTLAND, OREGON – JUNE 03: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers reacts after his three point basket in the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets during Round 1, Game 6 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on June 03, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees
PORTLAND, OREGON – MAY 29: Carmelo Anthony #00 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks to pass in the first quarter against the Denver Nuggets during Round 1, Game 4 of the 2021 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center on May 29, 2021 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading