Damian Lillard Says He’s ‘Not A Fan’ Of Pushing Back Start Date Of 2020-21 NBA Season

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Former Weber State and current Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard said that he isn’t a fan of the NBA potentially pushing back the start date of the 2020-21 season.

Lillard, the Blazers, and the rest of the NBA haven’t played any games since the 2019-20 season was suspended on March 11 following Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert’s positive COVID-19 test.

The Trail Blazers guard had a virtual press conference to discuss the current state of the NBA and his thoughts regarding the continuation of play this season as well as into the league’s next season.

Lillard also said that he doesn't think other players would be in favor of shifting the calendar in a way that would no longer give them a chance to regroup and recharge in the summer #RipCity https://t.co/MvrzBYQ2eT

— Jamie Goldberg (@Jamiebgoldberg) March 31, 2020

Lillard hopes there is a completion of the current schedule and doesn’t want any push back to the start the beginning of the 2020-21 season.

One possibility that’s been floated into NBA rumors is for the league to start the next season in December around Christmas and following the conclusion of the majority of football season.

“For that to change, I’m definitely not a fan of that and I don’t see many guys being a fan of that,” Lillard said.

Dame doesn't think most players would be in favor of a permanent shift of the start of the season to Christmas. Guys want the summers off with their families. "For that to change, I'm definitely not a fan of that and I don't see many guys being a fan of that."

— Sean Highkin (@highkin) March 31, 2020

Lillard and the Blazers owned a 29-37 record before the season was paused. Portland sat in the No. 9 position in the Western Conference standings.

The NBA has yet to release the 2020-21 schedule but new league seasons typically begin in October.