- NBA insider reveals the latest update on Damian Lillard’s trade demand
- Lillard will not report to camp for any team outside of Portland or Miami
- The stalemate continues as Damian Lillard plays hardball with the Blazers
Damian Lillard and his agent have made it abundantly clear that it’s “Miami or bust” on the next chapter of his playing career. Even today, months after his initial trade request, those feelings have not changed at all despite the quickly approaching NBA season.
In fact, as revealed by The Athletic’s Shams Charania on Monday, Lillard has only doubled-down on his stance and will not report to training camp if he’s traded anywhere else but the Heat. “Expect Portland and Miami to re-engage before the start of training camp that’s coming up in the next two and a half weeks,” said Shams on ‘The Rally.’ “Really, at this point, I’m told that the only two training camps that Damian Lillard would report to, in theory: Portland and Miami.”
There’s nothing stopping opposing teams from making an offer, and the likelihood increases every day that a team will get bold enough to make an honest run for Lillard. Even so, any team outside of Miami that trades for Dame will likely regret come to regret it.
“So if a team like Toronto were to trade for Damian Lillard, I do not believe Lillard would even report,” reported Shams. “That Dame trade request would still be there if he were to be traded into a team like Toronto or anyone else that really wants to take a chance at this. I think teams around the league,’ they’ve understood that a guy like Damian Lillard, at the age of 33, with $216 million left on his deal over the next four seasons, him joining their program and wanting a trade immediately is unideal.”
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Damian Lillard Must Tread Lightly
While Dame’s wishes are hardy a secret to anyone who has paid attention, Lillard is on thin ice with the NBA and every report that comes out about his interest in the heat puts him at risk of angering the league office.
Earlier this summer, Lillard was given a warning against publicizing his ‘Miami or bust’ stance, and the NBA even sent a memo briefing all 30 teams on the rules involving trade requests. So, Lillard must tread carefully to avoid jeopardizing the process, or it could devastate his dream of moving to South Beach. With four years left on his deal, all Lillard can really do is just wait and hope that the Trail Blazers can find an arrangement that works for them.
Trail Blazers Are Stalling Lillard Trade Talks
Most NBA fans were expecting a quick process in the Damian Lillard trade saga. In situations like this, stars usually get what they want and the team they leave behind is forced to settle for whatever scraps they get in return.
In Portland, however, GM Joe Cronin isn’t making things so easy for Lillard. Since Cronin has all the leverage, he clearly doesn’t mind waiting things out until the Heat, or some other team, steps up with a more reasonable offer.
What this means for Lillard is still unclear, but it’s very possible that he’s still on the Blazers come opening night and he’ll have no choice but to suit up and play if he wants to avoid tarnishing his good standing with the Blazers fans.
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