ESPN‘s Stephen A. Smith thinks that depending on how the Bucks fare in the postseason, they should consider trading Damian Lillard.
The Bucks will play the Pacers in the first round of the Playoffs next week, marking Lillard’s first visit to the postseason with the team.
Smith says Lillard is ‘not happy’ in Milwaukee, but it’s for reasons outside of basketball.
“If Milwaukee loses, I think you need to consider moving Dame up and out of there,” Smith told Shannon Sharpe on ESPN‘s First Take.
Sharpe said to Smith, “But he just got there!”
To which Smith responded, “I’m not talking about his game. He’s not happy there.
“He’s got a lot of distractions, which are his business, and we wish him nothing but the best, because a lot of us would not be able to handle it as well as he’s handling it.
“But nevertheless, whatever support system you’re looking for … It’s one of those situations where if you are not happy in a situation, albeit because of outside reasons, and I know he wanted to go to Miami, let’s call it what it is, you got all of that going on, that’s a lot to deal with.”
Lillard himself admitted in February that the big move from Portland has been tough and he feels lonely without the support network of his family and friends.
He is also without his kids and was recently divorced from his wife.
So there has definitely been a lot Lillard is going through “psychologically” with his personal life, as Smith puts it.
Let’s hope the Bucks can make something happen in the postseason to give Dame something to smile about.
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