The Portland Trail Blazers may not honor Damian Lillard’s trade request to the Miami Heat, according to NBA insider Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Lillard requested a trade from the Blazers on July 1. The seven-time All-Star wants to get traded to the Heat so he can play with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
However, since Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, the Blazers can trade him wherever they want to.
“As of midday Sunday, the Blazers had not conveyed to Lillard if they plan to honor his request to be traded to Miami, according to a source,” Jackson wrote.
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists this past season. The Heat, who have reached two NBA Finals since Butler came to South Beach in 2019, believe they can win it all next season with Lillard in the fold next to Butler and Adebayo. It’s worth mentioning that Lillard and Adebayo are very close friends.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
The Blazers are focused on getting the best package possible in return for Lillard and the Heat may not have it. The Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz have been linked to a potential Lillard trade.
One of the greatest players in NBA history, Lillard has expressed his frustration with the Blazers in recent years for failing to construct a roster capable of making a title push. The Weber State product felt the time was now to request a trade after coming off a career year.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
Lillard was upset the Blazers didn’t trade the third overall pick in the 2023 draft for a star player. Portland drafted Scoot Henderson, who plays the same position as Lillard, with the third pick.
The Heat didn’t aggressively pursue a trade for Bradley Beal, who was traded by the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns, because Pat Riley wanted to save his assets for Lillard. It’s going to be fascinating to see if Lillard lands with the Heat or if the Blazers trade him somewhere else.
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