- Pat Riley challenges the Blazers to find another suitor for Lillard
- The market for Lillard is still unknown as the new season approaches
- Heat could lose their chance for the star point guard if they continue to hold out
It has been months now since Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard made his trade demand public, and things are no closer to a resolution now than it was when they first started. With four years left on his deal, the Blazers are certainly in no rush to trade their franchise star, and it might be a while before any progress is made.
According to a new report by Adrian Wojnarowski, the Heat have challenged the Blazers to find a better package for Lillard, and they’ve already begun canvassing the market. “They just want him for as little as they’re going to have to give up and they’re essentially daring Portland to go out into the marketplace — which Portland is doing — and see if they can find better,” said Woj.
Woj: [The Miami Heat] want Damian Lillard. They just want him for as little as they're going to have to give up and they're essentially daring Portland to go out into the marketplace — which is Portland is doing — and see if they can find better." pic.twitter.com/Mt9WIQ2wfU
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) September 19, 2023
The Heat have maintained the same position throughout the offseason. Instead of giving up everything for Lillard, they have decided to hold back their best offer in an attempt to capitalize on their leverage. And since Lillard only wants a trade to the Heat, the franchise is convinced that no other team in the league is willing to make a real offer. It makes sense why Miami feels uninspired to give up a haul when they are bidding against no one, but they could lose out on Lillad completely if they are not careful.
Multiple Teams Are In Pursuit
While Lillard and his camp have made it clear that he will only play for the Heat or Blazers next season, it hasn’t stopped other teams from joining the race for Dame. Currently, at least three teams are known to have had an interest in him at one point: the Heat, Nets, and 76ers. Recently, however, the Toronto Raptors also emerged as a potential suitor.
If a surprise team steps up with a reasonable package, it could change the game entirely for the Lillard sweepstakes. The Heat would have to scramble to make a counteroffer, and it would be the start of an intense bidding war. Of course, this is the risk that the Heat must accept if they continue to play hardball with Blazers GM Joe Cronin.
The Heat Could Be In Serious Trouble
With Lillard trade talks reportedly heating up across the association, Miami is losing ground in negotiations. If they don’t trade for Lillard soon, they might have to go into the season without him on the roster, and that could be disastrous for the reigning Eastern Conference champions.
After losing out on several role-players, like Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, the Heat lost significant fire-power this summer and they have no way to make up for it if Lillard isn’t on the team. If you look at least season, Miami struggled to keep its head above the water and they finished the regular season with a 44-38 record. That was with Butler, Herro, Adebayo, and a bench full of veteran role players. But if the Heat lose Lillard and fail to secure the trade they’ve been waiting years for, it will be the final nail in the coffin for their run as contenders in the East.
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