For nearly a decade, Neil Olshey has been making the decisions that shape the Trail Blazers’ roster, and never has he been faced with a more critical time than this summer.
Olshey has had two summit meetings with franchise star Damian Lillard this summer — a three-hour tete-a-tete June 19 at the team’s practice facility and a Las Vegas meeting on July 16 that included new coach Chauncey Billups. Historically, Lillard and Olshey have always had an open line of communication, and this summer has been no different.
In no uncertain terms, during the long meetings and back-and-forth text messages, Lillard has informed Olshey he wants upgrades to the Blazers’ roster.
