Blazers' Damian Lillard met privately with owner Paul Allen to discuss future

Blazers star Damian Lillard met in secret with owner Paul Allen to talk about the future of the franchise and where the team is headed, according to a report from ESPN.

Lillard requested the meeting, which lasted about an hour, to "reaffirm his commitment" to the organization, but he also wanted to ensure he and the franchise were aligned with the same goals of winning a championship while he's still in his prime.

Lillard has four years remaining on a contract that owes him $115 million.

This meeting was the first time Lillard and Allen, who feared Lillard would request a trade, spoke privately, and the owner took the opportunity to ask questions as to why the team wasn't more consistent throughout this season.

According to the report, which cited unidentified sources, Lillard did give a "vote of confidence" for head coach Terry Stotts and discussed players to target who could help balance out the roster.

The Blazers are currently 25-22 and are sitting seventh in the Western Conference. In each of the past four seasons, Lillard helped lead his team to the playoffs but they haven't advanced past the second round.

The Blazers found themselves in a similar situation three years ago with LaMarcus Aldridge where the team was asked to prove that they were committed to bringing in talent that could lead to a championship team. Aldridge became an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2014-15 season and signed with the Spurs after beginning his NBA career with the Blazers in 2006.