Should the Portland Trail Blazers make the best of their situation with Damian Lillard and follow through on a trade deal with the Miami Heat? As many NBA fans might be aware, both of these franchises have been engaging in trade talks throughout this long offseason. All of this began after the Blazers’ star point guard requested a trade and made it clear that he wanted to join the Miami Heat.
Although Lillard has certainly done enough for his team to choose his next destination, no trade has materialized at the moment. Especially since the Blazers made it clear that they were not interested in the trade package that the Heat were offering them in return.
Since the Portland Trail Blazers wanted a lot more in return for giving up Damian Lillard, trade discussions between both teams have appeared to come to a standstill. While one might assume that the Blazers have the upper hand in these negotiations, recent reports reveal that they should strongly reconsider trading Lillard for Herro. That said, let us take a closer look and find out more on the subject.
Do the Portland Trail Blazers have other suitors for Damian Lillard?
When news broke out that Lillard wanted a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, some fans called him out for being very specific about his destination and dismissing all the other teams that might have been interested in acquiring him. Teams such as the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers were also introduced as potential alternate destinations for the Blazers star.
While there is no denying the interest that several teams might have for Lillard, senior NBA Insider Bobby Marks announced that no other teams were willing to give up their star players in order to acquire Lillard. Therefore, Portland should make the best of the situation and trade him for Herro.
“We have to condition our minds that there is no Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell or Durant trade package coming Portland’s way from Miami…Portland has to face the realization that there is a nonexistent market right now outside of the Heat.”
“We have to condition our minds that there is no Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell or Durant trade package coming Portland’s way from Miami…Portland has to face the realization that there is a nonexistent market right now outside of the Heat” – @BobbyMarks42https://t.co/QKw1aoZbU6 pic.twitter.com/5l4793aanR
— Dru (@dru_star) September 14, 2023
Bobby Marks certainly makes a valid point. However, fans should keep in mind that Dame is under contract with the Blazers and has no power to force a trade. The team can hold onto him and wait for the season to begin. If any contender starts the season badly, it might just be enough for them to make a trade for Lillard.
Nonetheless, if Marks is right about there being a “nonexistent” market for Lillard, the Blazers should make the most of the situation and trade him to Miami in return for Tyler Herro and other draft assets.
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