Jusuf Nurkic says if Damian Lillard leaves Portland, he'll leave too

Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic during an interview with Klix.ba in Bosnia said he would leave Portland if Damian Lillard were traded.

Source: Klix.ba via Aaron Fentress/The Oregonian

ANALYSIS: According to a translation of the interview, Nurkic said, “I don’t know what has changed with Lillard in these two days... As far as I know, the man stays there, but if he goes, then I leave Portland as well. My opinion is that it would be stupid to let such a loyal man as Lillard go.”

This past week, rumors surfaced that the circumstances surrounding Chauncey Billups' hiring as head coach (including the negative reaction from fans), plus the general lack of playoff success in Portland, could push Lillard out of the franchise.

It should be noted that per Nurkic's quote, he appears to have received no inclination of Lillard wanting to leave yet.

Nurkic has played with the Blazers since the 2016-17 season. This season, he averaged 11.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 3.4 assists 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steal (while shooting 51.4% from the field and 40.0% from three-point range).