The Portland Trail Blazers are “disinclined” to engage the Miami Heat in serious Damian Lillard trade talks, according to NBA insider Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald.
Lillard has requested a trade from the Blazers and only wants to get traded to the Heat. However, Portland is acting disinterested in trading Lillard to Miami.
Since Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause in his contract, the Blazers can trade the superstar anywhere. Portland can even keep Lillard and force him to honor his contract.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Miami Heat & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season for the Blazers. He will make $46.6 million next season. The future Hall of Famer signed a two-year, $121.8 million extension with Portland in July 2022.
The Blazers used Summer League in Las Vegas to get a fuller understanding of the trade market for Lillard, according to Sam Amick of The Athletic. Portland general manager Joe Cronin told reporters in Vegas that he’s willing to wait months to trade Lillard.
The NBA has sent a memo to all 30 teams in the wake of Lillard requesting a trade to the Heat. Lillard and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, can no longer talk about wanting to play for Miami.
The Blazers have not been impressed with the Heat’s offers for Lillard, who has career averages of 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists. Portland is seeking four first-round picks and two quality players in return for Lillard, according to NBA insider Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian/OregonLive.
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 season.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Miami Heat & Portland Trail Blazers 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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