Hours After Reports of Damian Lillard’s Interest in Warriors Surfaced, Fox Sports Analyst Claims Winning With Stephen Curry Would Be ‘Pity Rings’

Damian Lillard has finally swallowed his pride and asked for a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Lillard’s 11-year stint with the Oregon side now ends as the Guard hopes to find a spot on a Championship-contending team. Considering the initial activities, the Miami Heat had been the favorite destination for Dame. It all made sense – Lillard is close friends with Jimmy Butler & Bam Adebayo and his never-say-die attitude resonates with the Heat culture. But many conversations have now shifted towards the 6-foot-2 sharpshooter joining the Golden State Warriors after the Chris Paul move. If the rumors do end up being true and the Bay Area side goes on to win yet another title, a Fox Sports Analyst believes that Dame’s first-ever Championship will hold no value.

There is no doubt that the Heat is Lillard’s preferred destination. However, reportedly, Dame was open to the possibility of joining Stephen Curry and co. before they traded for Chris Paul. ESPN’s senior writer Ramona Shelburne suggested the same.

“They could have waited for Dame. Dame is from the Bay Area. I know he was interested…If he was going to ask for a trade…the Warriors would have been on that list.”

Even though Dame’s move to the Warriors seems improbable now, Chris Broussard suggests that a potential title with the San Francisco side would mean absolutely nothing in terms of the seven-time All-Star’s legacy.

Chris Broussard believes a title with the Golden State Warriors will be a ‘pity ring’ for Damian Lillard

The panel had a brief discussion of a possible Damian Lillard move to the Golden State Warriors in the recent episode of First Things First. Chris Broussard spoke about a hypothetical Championship win playing under Steve Kerr would not be a legacy-changing moment. The FS1 analyst further stated that a Championship win with some other team such as the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics, and the Philadelphia 76ers would be much more meaningful.

“Let’s say they won the Championship, this wouldn’t be like a legacy-changing ring for Dame. If he goes to Miami and they win, if he went to Boston or Philly and they won it, it’s a legacy-changing ring. You go to Golden State which has won four rings… Doesn’t change your legacy.”

To be fair, all the other three teams are just as strong, if not stronger than the Warriors. Yes, GSW has won four Championships in the past decade. But, it hasn’t been a title-contending side following their 2022 NBA Finals win. Of course, joining any of these teams would result in Lillard going back on his words of not joining a star-studded team. But, a potential move and eventually lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy with the Golden State Warriors shouldn’t be looked down upon.

The San Antonio Spurs have been interested in Lillard

The Miami Heat are the strong favorites to acquire Dame. Apart from the Florida side, the Celtics and the Sixers have been in conversations to add the seven-time All-NBA player to the squad. Recent reports also suggested that the combo guard was interested in the San Antonio Spurs following Victor Wembanyama’s acquisition. Take a look at what Ramona Shelburne has to say in ClutchPoint’s tweet.

Loading embed tweet https://twitter.com/ClutchPointsApp/status/1675207364708892679?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

The idea of Lillard joining the Spurs is pretty interesting. It matches his criteria of not playing for a team with multiple All-Stars. Of course, Wembanyama is yet to prove his worth at the NBA hardwood, but it seems like a safe bet to join the Texas side.