Superstar point guard Damian Lillard is meeting with the Portland Trail Blazers to discuss the franchise’s direction, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT.
According to one source who spoke to NBA Analysis Network, Lillard was not happy the Blazers used the third overall pick in the 2023 draft instead of trading it for a star player.
The Blazers drafted guard Scoot Henderson with the third pick. Lillard has nothing against the youngster. He just wanted Portland to use the pick in a trade for a win-now player who could help him compete for a title.
If the meeting with Blazers officials doesn’t go well, Lillard could request a trade to the Miami Heat or Brooklyn Nets.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
According to NBA insider Sam Amick of The Athletic, Dame has serious interest in playing for the Miami Heat, who didn’t trade for All-Star shooting guard Bradley Beal because they wanted to save their assets for a Dame trade.
“Lillard indeed has serious interest in joining the Heat, who would surely love to pair him with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. If it reaches this point — and there’s still an ‘if’ here considering all the times Lillard chose not to ask out before — Lillard’s wishes would matter a great deal because of the enormity of his contract,” Amick wrote.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
A seven-time All-Star, Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists this past season while shooting 46.3% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 91.4% from the free-throw line. The Heat, who have reached two NBA Finals since small forward Jimmy Butler came to South Beach in 2019, believe they can win it all with Lillard in the fold next to Butler and All-Star center Adebayo.
Lillard has career averages of 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists. He’s one of the greatest players in NBA history and could win a championship with the Heat if he finally requests a trade from the Blazers.
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