- Damian Lillard is still not with the Heat despite weeks of negotiations
- Trial Blazers still believe they can convince Lillard to rescind his trade request
- Miami Heat are risking it all by withholding their best package
Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has not wavered since making his trade demand in the 2023 offseason, but as more time passes by, his future grows increasingly uncertain. Now, according to the latest report from ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, the Trail Blazers are angling not to trade him at all.
“I don’t know what their offers are but I think they are making an attempt to resolve this before training camp,” said Windhorst. “They may get there or they may not. I don’t see Dame as someone who doesn’t report or doesn’t play. I would be very surprised if you didn’t see Dame there and playing at his all.”
It’s been Miami or bust for Lillard since day one, but his stubbornness on this issue has made it difficult for Portland to find an appropriate trade package. The Heat just don’t have enough to make it happen on their own, and the Blazers will have to decide for themselves how long they are willing to wait this out.
NBA Fans Can’t Believe The Turn Of Events
After all this time, fans were sure that the Blazers would cave and give in to Damian Lillard’s demands, but Joe Cronin has resisted the calls for him to send Lillard where he wants. Instead, it looks like Damian may be staying put as the Blazers hunker down and prepare for upcoming training camp. With four years left on his deal, Lillard can do nothing but comply if he wants to keep his NBA career alive and fans are still coming to grips with how it’s all playing out.
And by resolve he means rescind the trade request
— Andrey (@DreBob0) September 21, 2023
That would be a wild turnaround
— matt (@mpt_matt) September 21, 2023
They better start settling bc soon no one is going to want him
— Street Clothes 🧢 (@LeCap623) September 21, 2023
Just let it go, very bad look on that franchise. Look how Dame’s loyalty to them has backfired on him.
— Giovanni Rosello (@LuckyGio2) September 21, 2023
Damian Lillard has given his blood, sweat, and tears to the Blazers franchise since he was drafted back in 2012, but all that goodwill is washing away now in light of the ongoing saga. Lillard, who is committed to winning a championship, left because he doesn’t believe Portland is in a position to compete in the West this year or anytime in the near future. As constructed, he’s probably not wrong in that assessment, but Lillard may have no choice but to suit up and play for them anyway if the offseason ends without a trade.
It remains to be seen if Lillard can be convinced to change his mind, but you can bet that the Blazers and GM Joe Cronin, are working to try and make it happen. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are doing everything they can to ensure they come out of this with the ultimate prize.
Miami Heat Are In Big Trouble
Lillard has made it clear that if he’s not sent to the Heat, he’d prefer to just stick around in Portland and there’s still a possibility that he could stay and play through this whole season for them. Unfortunately, for the Heat, they can’t wait until next summer to make a move. With Jimmy Butler at 34 years old now, the clock is ticking on how long he’s got as an elite player in the NBA.
So with the window closing fast and hard, these next few years may be the last chance this Heat team has to compete for a championship. Without Lillard, they just don’t enough to win, especially when you count the losses of Gabe Vincent and Max Strus in free agency. It’s a waiting game now, and both sides are desperately holding out, hoping for something to change. Wildly enough, even after everything that has happened, Lillard might still end up in a Blazers jersey when tip-off begins this October.
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