The Miami Heat are waiting for superstar point guard Damian Lillard to request a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, according to NBA insider Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Lillard met with Blazers officials on June 26 to discuss the future of the franchise. The Heat are hopeful that the All-Star will eventually request a trade so they can acquire him since he’s already openly said he would like to play in Miami with star center Bam Adebayo.
“Damian Lillard’s decision to give the Portland Trail Blazers more time to improve their roster hasn’t dissuaded the Heat,” Jackson wrote. “According to multiple sources, the Heat has decided to wait patiently for Lillard to make a decision because they view him as a player worth waiting for.”
Lillard was upset that the Blazers didn’t trade the third overall pick in the 2023 draft for a star player. Miami didn’t aggressively pursue a trade for shooting guard Bradley Beal — who was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns — because Hall of Famer Pat Riley wanted to save his assets for Lillard.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
The Blazers drafted Scoot Henderson, who plays the same position as Lillard, with the third pick in this year’s draft.
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 Adebayo.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
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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