Damian Lillard has been discussing his future in the NBA as openly as possible, telling reporters that the Miami Heat would be his preferred destination if he was to be moved before clarifying that he doesn’t want to go there if they win the 2023 NBA Finals.
Lillard was linked to the Celtics as well, but it was reported that he wouldn’t necessarily welcome playing in Boston. This led to Jayson Tatum coming into Dame’s IG Live and saying, ‘Damn, we get it, you don’t like Boston.’ Lillard responded with a smirk.
“Now you got my boy JT over here offended. That’s crazy.”
“Damn we get it you don’t like Boston”
Tatum on Dame’s IG live 💀
(H/T @iinangelo) https://t.co/DCtJm9KSHl
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 9, 2023
Lillard had an incredible individual season in 2022-23, even though his Blazers missed the playoffs and received the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA Draft. Dame averaged 32.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.8 rebounds in 58 games this season.
He is expected to have his choice of any team if he wants to be traded to the East, with the Blazers respecting his wishes due to his status as a club legend.
Best Destinations For Damian Lillard
The Boston Celtics would be an instant ticket to championship contention, given they have the strongest roster already out of all the teams that may be interested in acquiring Dame. But the city ends up being aversive to many African-American players that look to not play there by their own choice.
Lillard wants to go to the Heat, but it seems harder given they have limited future trade assets and will rely on Tyler Herro being the primary asset getting them Dame. They’ll still need to add more salary to match Herro’s $27.0 million to Dame’s $45.6 million.
The Brooklyn Nets might be the most natural fit. They already have a strong perimeter player in Mikal Bridges and a defensive center in Nic Claxton. The Nets have enough contracts to match salaries and a heap of picks from the Suns they can use to instantly return to contention with a far less temperamental roster.
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