One NBA writer believes the Portland Trail Blazers will honor Damian Lillard’s trade request to the Miami Heat. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report thinks the Heat “might be the only team that has the assets necessary to pull off the deal and remain a contender afterward.”
“And even if the deal has yet to be finalized, it still feels like all roads are pointing to the Miami Heat for Lillard,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “He’s still one of the best offensive players in basketball (he led the league in 2022-23 offensive estimated plus-minus), but he’s a 33-year-old defensive liability under contract through 2026-27 (when he has a $63.2 million player option).
“On top of reports that Miami is the only team Lillard wants to play for, any team acquiring him would have to know it’s a bona fide contender immediately after the trade is finalized. The Heat might be the only team that has the assets necessary to pull off the deal and remain a contender afterward.”
According to NBA reporter Marc J. Spears of Andscape, Lillard is attracted to the Heat for several reasons: “Sources say Lillard is also attracted to the renowned Heat Culture, consistent winning at a high level, franchise stability, no state taxes and marketing opportunities,” Spears wrote.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Lillard still wants the Blazers to trade him to the Heat despite the NBA’s initiative to warn Lillard and his agent that any further comments made “suggesting Lillard will not fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade” will be subject to discipline, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Lillard is close friends with Heat center Bam Adebayo and believes he can win an NBA championship in Miami playing alongside Jimmy Butler and Adebayo. The Heat have been working on a trade package for Lillard of expiring contracts, three to four first-round picks and one of the team’s younger players, with Tyler Herro going to a third team. The deal could potentially also involve second-rounders and draft pick swaps.
Lillard requested to be traded from the Blazers to only the Heat on July 1. He has spent all 11 seasons of his NBA career with Portland, which selected him with the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Blazers finished 33-49 and 13th in the Western Conference last season.
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. Lillard was upset the Blazers didn’t trade the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft for a star player. Portland drafted Scoot Henderson, who plays the same position as Lillard, with the third pick.
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.
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