The Miami Heat “chuckled” at the Portland Trail Blazers for trying to trade for Bam Adebayo, according to NBA insider Zach Lowe of ESPN.
Even though the Blazers could have offered the Heat the third pick in the 2023 NBA Draft for Adebayo, Miami didn’t entertain the idea at all. Adebayo averaged 20.4 points, 9.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Heat last season. The two-time All-Star shot 54.0% from the field and 80.6% from the free-throw line.
Miami signed Adebayo to a five-year, $163 million contract in November 2020. Pat Riley has labeled Adebayo and Jimmy Butler as untouchable in trade talks with the Blazers, who are dealing with Damian Lillard’s trade request. Lillard, who is close friends with Adebayo, has demanded that Portland trade him to Miami.
Blazers general manager Joe Cronin told reporters on July 10 in Las Vegas at Summer League that he’s not going to rush a Lillard trade. In fact, Cronin is willing to wait “months” to trade Lillard, who doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bam Adebayo, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
Cronin, who hasn’t spoken to Lillard since the future Hall of Famer requested a trade, is going to be very patient so he can get the best package in return for Lillard. Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, has been reaching out to teams not named the Heat, telling them not to trade for his client. Portland is pursuing the sliding-scale superstar package of desirable draft picks and high-level young players.
It’s doubtful a non-Heat team will trade for Lillard since everyone in the NBA knows the Weber State product wants to play for Miami. Goodwin has relayed to teams that Lillard would be unhappy if he’s not traded to the Heat.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bam Adebayo, 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.
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