From the moment Damian Lillard handed in his trade request to the Portland Trail Blazers, it was clear he just had one destination in mind, the Miami Heat.
While the Blazers would accommodate his trade request, it has become clear they would be willing to look past the Heat’s offer if they don’t believe it’s what’s best for them. NBA insider Shams Charania, however, reiterated that Lillard only wants to play for Miami.
“I’m told Damian Lillard only wants to play for the Miami Heat,” Charania said. “This is gonna be a patient process, you’re gonna see Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin go through the league and track the market and see what else he can get in the marketplace for him, but I think like James Harden, Damian Lillard is the caliber of player and at the age where a preferred destination is the likely path.
“And when you think about Miami, I’m told there are 3-or-4-team scenarios in a potential deal with the Heat that would potentially net the Blazers several first-round draft picks in a Lillard trade,” Charania added. “And I think when you look at what Portland could want in a Damian Lillard deal, you’re gonna want assets, young players, potentially, moving forward, but definitely getting picks in a potential Lillard trade.”
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The Blazers never seemed all that keen on any package the Heat would offer, as Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo are reportedly off-limits. Someone like Tyler Herro isn’t all that appealing of an asset for the Blazers, so at the very least, a third team was always going to be required.
We do have a suggestion on how it could work out and it is a four-team deal involving the Blazers, Heat, Knicks, and the Spurs. It would see Lillard heading to Miami and Herro to the Knicks. The Blazers would get RJ Barrett, Caleb Martin, Nikola Jovic, and two first-round picks, while the Spurs would take on Duncan Robinson’s contract for two second-round picks.
Why Does Damian Lillard Want To Go To The Heat?
As for why Lillard is so fixated on going to the Heat, team insider Barry Jackson revealed the reasons for it. Jackson stated that Dame loves Miami and has a lot of respect for the organization and Butler. He is also good friends with Adebayo and knows he has a chance to contend for titles if he joins them.
The Heat have come close to winning championships these last few years but have just fallen short, losing in the NBA Finals twice in the last four seasons. Adding Lillard, who averaged 32.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, and 0.3 BPG last season, might just be the move that finally gets them across the finish line and Lillard would certainly believe that to be the case.
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