Damian Lillard has been loyal to the soil of Portland for the entirety of his NBA career. The Trail Blazers haven’t had much success or growth in recent years, but Lillard has never even hinted at wanting to leave.

Since the franchise blessed the fanbase and picked Lillard in the 2012 draft, they have made the Conference Finals only once. Many would have left in the frustration of not being able to compete for the title. But not Lillard, who has repeatedly shown that his drive to remain loyal to Rip City can weather the sting of repetitive failure.

To show their appreciation for Lillard’s unwavering devotion throughout the years, the Trail Blazers have offered their ace a new contract that’ll fetch him a windfall. As per Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report, the franchise has decided to award him $100 million contract extension that’ll fall in line with his current contract that runs till the  2024–25 season.

This would keep Lillard in town for the rest of his prime years; however, the Blazers would not want to stop there. The star hasn’t had a taste of the NBA Finals despite a stellar individual career. Therefore, the Blazers’ objective this offseason will be to get the ideal assets to complement their ace.

Fans go crazy over Lillard signing an extension

The fresh contract extension will keep Lillard in Rip City till 2027. His signing of this extension speaks volumes about his loyalty to the Blazers.

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Seeing this being unfold, the fans couldn’t help but go crazy over Dame getting the massive extension.

Lillard about the only loyal basketball player alive right now

— RJ 🌬 (@DontMissRJ) June 29, 2022

@Dame_Lillard has been TOO loyal to the @trailblazers. Respect the loyalty, but if you’re not winning, you’re wasting your career on a franchise that can’t even build a winning culture.

— Dan M. Robinson (@igrindmyteeth) June 29, 2022

Portland keep giving him the bag, hoping Damian is fine with never winning anything

— Depressed Mavs fan (@MavsDepressed) June 29, 2022

Franchise with a bad front office. Good on Dame getting money, but that team is going nowhere fast. He'd have a chip had he left a couple years ago. Definitely has loyalty, but I think at this point he knows where he's at and he's about to cash in.

— JD Miller (@iM1LLKY) June 30, 2022

Blazers legend. Blazers GOAT. Blazers leader. Lock him up for his whole career. Build that man a statue.

I feel so lucky to have been able to watch him play here is whole career. Absolute class act and straight baller.

— Blake Long (@The_blakeshow88) June 29, 2022

Let the man go and give me a chance to at least get 1 ring. He’s loyal AF!! But this guys career is too great to not have at least 1 ring under his belt. Somewhere East Coast

— Angel Gutierrez (@Anghellic24) June 29, 2022

Deserved. Now can they please get my mans some HELP

— Dilly (@dillyboyq) June 29, 2022

The Trail Blazers are already making strides in the offseason to aid Damian Lillard

Many players left Rip City in search of a breath of fresh air, but Damian Lillard always knew where his heart lies. Lillard was not always treated fairly by the Trail Blazers, but his loyalty toward the team never wavered. For all of his heroics and monumental efforts, he has been entitled to demand more of his franchise. Yet, the lone wolf has marched unescorted, determined to usher in the glory days.

The Trail Blazers, to repay all those elephantine contributions, must introduce a newer and more ambitious project. And it appears that they have already begun to augment Lillard with the necessary pieces.

The Blazers acquired Jerami Grant a few weeks ago. The forward impressed with his dynamic play during his time with the Detroit Pistons. Grant fits the criteria of a tall, athletic wing who can score and play lockdown defense. He boasts a profile that the Blazers have long wanted to couple with Dame.

In addition, the Blazers chose Shaedon Sharpe at No. 7 in last week’s NBA draft.

London, Ontario's Shaedon Sharpe is something of a mystery, because he's doing something very few players have ever done – going to the NBA having never played in college.

But, as Rick Westhead explains, his path to this point has never been a straight line.

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) June 22, 2022

The Blazers also tied Anfernee Simons to the franchise for the next 4 years after he signed a four-year, $100 million contract extension. Last year, in the absence of Lillard and CJ McCollum, the young guard had a breakout season.

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A backcourt of him and Lillard is sure to spell terror for the opponents. In addition to Simons, the Blazers are also reported to re-sign Jusuf Nurkic.

The offseason has barely just begun, and the team is still contemplating several moves. What does the future hold for Damian Lillard and Portland? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.