The Portland Trail Blazers are not trying to convince Damian Lillard to rescind his trade request and stay with the team, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. The Blazers realize that Lillard is determined to get traded.
“I think both sides realize that this is over,” Wojnarowski said. “This is not a situation necessarily where the Blazers are trying to talk Damian Lillard back in.”
Lillard continues to be “very adamant” about only wanting to play for the Miami Heat, per Shams Charania of The Athletic. The Blazers know Lillard wants to get traded to the Heat. However, the organization may not honor Lillard’s trade request to Miami since the point guard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
The expectation, though, around Lillard is that his insistence on Miami will discourage other teams from offering their best assets to try to acquire him from Portland.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season. The Heat, who have reached two NBA Finals since Jimmy Butler came to Miami in 2019, believe they can win it all next season with Lillard in the fold next to Butler and Bam Adebayo.
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 as well.
Lillard 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 and Blazers have talked about a Lillard trade in recent trade. Most NBA insiders believe a third team will be required to get Dame to Miami.
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