Seven-time All-Star delays trade request to get teammate the bag

According to ESPN's Ramona Shelburne, Lillard had "contemplated" asking Portland for a trade when they met Monday. But once they gave Grant a five-year deal — re-signing Grant was reportedly part of a "dream scenario" for the Blazers — Lillard changed course and requested a trade less than 24 hours into free agency.

Perhaps Lillard was doing his friend a solid in securing the bag for Grant, who could have gotten a maximum of four years on his contract from any other team. Perhaps he was holding out hope that the Blazers could sign Draymond Green, despite the difficulties they faced cap-wise to do that.

Or perhaps this was Lillard's revenge against Portland for failing to build a competitive team in his last two years in Oregon. They used last year's No. 7 pick on Shaedon Sharpe, a player who turned 19 less than a month before the draft and hadn't played any games his freshman year of college. This year they had the No. 3 and No. 23 picks, which they used on 19-year-old Scoot Henderson and Iowa's Kris Murray, rather than trading for veteran help.

Whatever the reason, Portland now has a rebuilding team with some promising young players — and a veteran, zero-time All-Star forward who will be averaging $32 million per season through his 34th birthday. It's great news for Grant and his family and agent, a great gesture from Lillard, but not the ideal situation for the Blazers.