The situation around Damian Lillard’s trade request to the Miami Heat is still held in question. Lillard has spent 11 years in Portland, as he finally requested a trade from the franchise after leading the team for over a decade. Since this trade request, the Blazers have been trying to find a suitable trade partner. So far, there are teams apart from the Heat that have the potential to land Lillard.
While The Heat is all in on this trade, as having a Lillard and Butler duo would be lethal, they might also look to include some crucial assets in this trade. Recently, there have been rumors about Tyler Herro getting traded from Miami.
These might have much to do with the cap space and a primary spot for Lillard. Still, there are chances that the Blazers might not find a suitable trade partner, which would have Dame stay on the Blazers.
Damian Lillard would not settle for any team other than the Miami Heat
Teams like the Jazz, Celtics, T-Wolves, and Clippers are among the top teams to land Lillard on their roster. Though as per recent reports, it doesn’t seem that Dame would settle anywhere other than South Beach. Lillard and his agent are determined to land Dame in Miami. While the Blazers wouldn’t have any problem, if a franchise other than the Heat comes up with a handsome offer, Dame wouldn’t hesitate to reject it.
Blazers Insider @AaronJFentress says Damian Lillard and his agent could force his way to Miami
“Let’s say a team stepped up… with a Durant-like package, and Dame and his agent tell that team, ‘Dude, we’re not coming to play for you.’ That’d be franchise suicide for a team to… pic.twitter.com/b33vt9UuyU
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 3, 2023
The contract could have a package as valuable as that of Kevin Durant, though for Lillard, playing for the Heat seems his offseason goal. It does make sense, as after an 11-year experience, Lillard hasn’t won a single championship. The closest he’s been to winning a title was in 2019 when the Blazers made it to the fourth round.
Dame and his agent are ready to force a trade to Miami. The Heat have made two Finals appearances in the last four seasons. The team has established itself as a major threat in the East, as they appeared in the Finals this year as an eighth seed. With Lillard on the roster, Miami might as well win a championship shortly.
The Celtics, Clippers, Pelicans and Timberwolves have reached out to Portland to discuss a Damian Lillard trade, per @ChrisBHaynes
“The Clippers, the Timberwolves, Pelicans, Boston Celtics, those are the team off the top of my head, I’m pretty sure there were more, those were… pic.twitter.com/Ksn0yF8Qkv
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 3, 2023
It’s only been a couple of days since Lillard requested a trade. Whereas the drama around the Miami Heat being the assured landing spot has just started. Dame has shown his loyalty to the franchise, though hasn’t found much success in the last decade. It is about time that one of the best shooters in NBA history earns a ring. It will be interesting to see how the Miami trade deal works out.