AP Photo/Rick BowmerAccording to Kevin O'Connor, Kawhi Leonard was looking to make a move to Los Angeles Clippers and Damian Lillard was on his "list" of stars.After the team's exit from the NBA playoffs in the first round, Lillard's future is a hot topic. Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes reported that Lillard's concerns about the possibility of building a championship contender have been factors in the massive backlash caused by the Portland Trail Blazers' decision to hire a coach.Leonard's arrival at the Clippers coincided with Paul George's acquisition. Doc Rivers, the Clippers' then-head coach, said that Leonard chose George after reviewing a list with potential trade targets.Rivers stated in September 2019 that Rivers had shown Rivers all the other people and he didn’t want to hear it. Rivers said that he just kept on Paul George. After the meeting, I sat down with him and said, "We have to get Paul George." It is not clear how we will do it but it must be done. We knew Oklahoma City wanted to disband their team, which was helpful, but we weren't sure if we could do it.This doesn't necessarily mean that O'Connor's report is incorrect. Lillard could have just as easily been included on that list. Rivers could not publicly announce Leonard's desire for a line-up alongside a player from another team.At the time, it was unlikely that Portland would be able to land the six-time All-Star. Portland reached the 2019 Western Conference Finals so it was not in a position where it could jettison its best player. He had also been signed for two years.If the Clippers were to pursue Lillard right now, it might prove difficult to make a trade.His departure would signal a rebuilding in Portland or at least partial teardown, much like the George trade did with the Oklahoma City Thunder. It wouldn't make sense for the Blazers if George was traded for Lillard.Los Angeles spent a lot of trade capital to acquire the 6'8" swingman. The Thunder has most of the draft picks, so a package that includes Terance Mann and Ivica Zurbac is unlikely to be very appealing to the Blazers.
