When Damian Lillard initially submitted his trade request to the Trail Blazers on July 1, there was a very brief period in which it looked like the bidding for the seven-time All-Star could be wide open.
Lillard had previously mentioned in an interview that Brooklyn and Miami would be among his preferred landing spots if he were ever to ask out of Portland. But surely plenty of other teams would be prepared to get involved for a superstar player with four years remaining on his contract. After all, potential suitors could be confident that the veteran guard wouldn’t just be a rental, and perhaps recognized that his reputation as a consummate professional made him unlikely to be a candidate for a holdout.
In the wake of that trade request though, reports quickly emerged indicating that Lillard’s wish list consisted of just one team: the Heat. His agent Aaron Goodwin eventually confirmed as much, making it clear that any non-Miami club that acquired his client would be getting an unhappy player.
The stance has limited the Blazers’ leverage and cooled the trade market for Dame, resulting in a multi-week stand-off that doesn’t seem on the verge of resolution. But with just over two months until training camps begin and about three months until the 2023/24 regular season tips off, there’s plenty of time for the Trail Blazers to work out a trade involving their longtime franchise player.
At this point, three scenarios are in play. The Blazers and Heat find common ground and make a deal sending Lillard to Miami; another suitor willing to roll the dice on Dame swoops in and acquires him; or the Blazers, unsatisfied with the offers they’re getting, keep Lillard on their roster indefinitely until those offers improve.
While a trade to the Heat may feel like a foregone conclusion, Lillard’s leverage to force his way to Miami is limited by his contract situation and his lack of no-trade clause. Holding out – either in Portland or with a non-Heat team – would cost him pay checks, and for a player on a super-max contract, those checks are sizable. That’s not a viable four-year plan, and despite his stance in the early stages of negotiations, Lillard doesn’t seem like the type of player who would stop playing basketball indefinitely until his demands are met.
Non-Heat suitors may be nervous about how Lillard would respond to being sent somewhere besides Miami, but they also won’t want to allow the Heat to become the odds-on title favorite by acquiring the Blazers star for 25 cents on the dollar. The Heat may not have to meet Portland’s asking price in full in order to land Lillard, but they’ll probably have to at least get in the ballpark.
We want to know what you think. How does this situation get resolved? What jersey will Lillard be wearing on opening night this fall? Or, at least, which roster will he be on when the regular season begins?
Vote in our poll, then head to the comment section below to share your predictions!
Utah
I think Portland but will be sitting out until tradefy
Good chance utah is involved. Dame is from that area during is college time.
Not sure utah wants to get involved just yet. Ainge likes to hold his cards close to his chest and wait things out.
Utah doesn’t even know how good or bad they will be but perhaps they are a playoff team already.
The jazz really should avoid Portland as they want a kings ransom. Ainge receives those but doesn’t pay them.
Can’t see jazz giving up players they value and picks they value. More like jazz offer sexton ko tht and two picks. Miami not offering 3. They can’t unless they work okc or the jazz for a 2025 pick unprotected.
Portland stuck with Dame. Dame likes portland and perhaps the heat suck and he avoids going there or to any team playing like
Heat would do fine and so would the jazz if t he had a healthy Dame
Guangdong tigers
The 76ers make more sense then the Heat.
Raps
Olympiacos…
#alum
Portland, unless at least 1 other team gets involved. The Heat don’t have enough assets available.
Probably Portland, expecting it to play out like the last, last time Harden demanded a trade, from BKN to PHI where Portland will eventually have to relent by mid-season.
I think Portland. If he holds out and Portland plays out of their minds I think he’ll take back his trade request. In my opinion Scoot Henderson is the best player in the draft. They both should be 25-30ppg players and Sharp continues to develop they could have a really good big 3.
I hate to break it to you Dan but Scoot doesn’t get close to 25 ppg in his first 2 years
The Bravo Housewives.
Cares
Who
Has to be a three team trade
How about Hornets trade Hayward and Rozier to the Heat, Miller and M Williams to Portland. Heat trade Lowry (waive), Jovic, Jamie J and picks to Portland, Hero to the Hornets. Portland trades Lillard to Heat, Grant and Nurkic to Hornets. 2nds pick to Hornets
Then resign Watford
1st to Hornets and 2nd to Portland*