If the Portland Trail Blazers trade Damian Lillard to a team that isn’t the Miami Heat, the seven-time All-Star “wouldn’t report,” according to NBA insider Mark Medina of Sportsnaut. Lillard has demanded that the Blazers trade him to the Heat.
“He just wouldn’t go,” a person familiar with Lillard’s thinking told Sportsnaut. “He just wouldn’t report.”
Lillard only wants to play for the Heat, who lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals in five games. Miami stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo want Lillard in South Beach and Pat Riley has already spoken to the Blazers about a Dame trade.
Every team in the NBA knows Lillard wants to play for the Heat, so the Blazers can’t really talk with other teams because no one is going to offer them assets for a player whose heart and mind are in Miami.
“I don’t think the other team would trade for him knowing that he doesn’t want to be there,” the person familiar with Lillard’s thinking told Sportsnaut. “He’s a first-ballot Hall-of-Famer so they should respect his wishes.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
Lillard signed a two-year, $121.7 million extension with the Blazers in July 2022. He averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season while shooting 46.3% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 91.4% from the free-throw line. Lillard is the Blazers’ all-time leading scorer.
“Portland is going to do what’s best for Portland. But if there is a negotiation, I think everybody can get what they’re looking for,” the person familiar with Lillard’s thinking told Sportsnaut. “Nobody is going to be 100% happy, but you can still get what you want. You just have to engage. I’m hopeful they will start.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
Lillard and Adebayo are very close friends. Butler and Lillard also have a rapport. It will be fascinating to see how this whole situation plays out.
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