The Damian Lillard trade rumors found their way onto the telecast of the 2023 NBA draft in an unexpected way on Thursday after various shots of a fan wearing a custom-made “Trade Dame ” jersey made the rounds online.
With the Trail Blazers owning the No. 3 selection, Lillard’s future was, once again, heavily discussed, though both sides shut down talks of a split before the draft. Ultimately, the Blazers used the pick on G League Ignite’s Scoot Henderson, despite their star guard’s reported preference for the selection to be traded for more win-now talent.
Given the amount of attention, it seemed fitting for Lillard to one of draft night’s trending topics. Of course, the “Trade Dame ” jersey made for a hilariously awkward visual thanks to the bold-minded fan, who explained his motivation to Sports Illustrated’s Robin Lundberg.
“I am a Damian Lillard fan, to be honest with you,” the fan told Lundberg. “That’s my guy…it’s just, it’s time to let it go.”
"I need it now!"
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 22, 2023
This fan gives the backstory to his "Trade Dame" jersey 👀 pic.twitter.com/LByQWs5duA
Call it disrespectful or all in good fun, but the fan’s jersey certainly made waves amongst fans on social media. Some even pointed out the fact the jersey could be seen behind ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and Kevin Negandhi as they interviewed Henderson following the pick.
Needless to say, based on Thursday’s responses, the draft likely won’t be the last time “Trade Dame” trends this summer as an already-hot NBA offseason starts heating up:
I see the "Trade Dame" jersey guy found a prime spot pic.twitter.com/qiDUgTn3Zn
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 23, 2023
Trade Dame jersey on while Scoot is being interviewed is ridiculous 😭😭 pic.twitter.com/fWOeLFazcv
— 🌟Fake (@LALeBron23) June 23, 2023
He’s ready for the Dame era to be over in Portland just like the rest of us 😂😂
— grant hudson (@HotrockHudson) June 23, 2023
Yo, this guy wearing a “Trade Dame” jersey right in front of Scoot Henderson & some of his siblings talking to @KevinNegandhi & @stephenasmith has me rolling 🤣. #NBADraft pic.twitter.com/O0lJYqe7iS
— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (IG:twdbk3) (@sluggahjells) June 23, 2023
A fan made a custom “Trade Dame” Trail Blazers jersey at the Draft 😂
— Ahn Fire Digital (@AhnFireDigital) June 22, 2023
(📷: @BySamDiGiovanni) pic.twitter.com/jWUIyW3EFj
Dame when he sees this https://t.co/UiEcFlcp1g pic.twitter.com/eGjPSD9aXF
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 22, 2023
Trade Dame on the back of this blazers fans jersey. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/2yMUhYjCaM
— Joey Texas (@TheTXGuy) June 23, 2023
lmao dude back there with the Trade Dame jersey think he slick
— likely to be eaten by a grue (@errorcoramnobis) June 23, 2023
