The Portland Trail Blazers are interested in trading for Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.
Blazers point guard Damian Lillard and Adebayo are close friends. Portland has the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft and Lillard wants the franchise to trade the pick to acquire a star.
“The reality, though, does not appear so binary,” Fischer wrote. “Lillard, by all accounts, prefers to remain with Portland, and the Trail Blazers have not shown any willingness to discuss the seven-time All-Star with inquiring teams, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The Blazers view this entire offseason as their canvas to fortify a contender around Lillard, not just this week’s NBA draft, and free agency will bring additional opportunity to bolster this roster beyond plans to re-sign Jerami Grant. Portland has been exploring avenues to deal the No. 3 pick, but in a draft that scouts have deemed holds three top prospects, the Blazers are strongly valuing their selection in talks with opposing teams, sources said.
“Portland appears unlikely to part with the No. 3 choice unless the Blazers are netting back one of a select number of premium targets to pair with Lillard. According to one source with knowledge of the situation, Portland is preparing what the team believes to be a compelling package for Miami to part with All-Defensive centerpiece Bam Adebayo.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Bam Adebayo, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
Even though the Blazers can offer the Heat the third pick in the draft and Anfernee Simons for Adebayo, Miami is unlikely to consider any Portland overture that doesn’t include Shaedon Sharpe.
Lillard wants to remain with the Blazers. If Portland can’t acquire Adebayo, the franchise will pursue other forwards with size at the top echelon of the league’s player hierarchy.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Bam Adebayo, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
The 2023 draft is on Thursday, June 22. It will be interesting to see if the Blazers keep the third pick or trade it for a star.
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