After weeks of speculation, Damian Lillard finally requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. There are a host of teams interested in the superstar guard, but Shams Charania reported that Lillard wants a trade specifically to the Miami Heat.
What is so appealing about the Heat to Dame? Well, team insider Barry Jackson has revealed there are quite reasons why he would prefer to be traded there.
“Source said Lillard wants Miami because he loves the city; has great respect for Jimmy & Heat and is good friends with Bam. And chance to win. Portland hasn’t specifically told him yet that it will agree to try to trade him to Miami, but I would be surprised if they don’t accommodate”
Source said Lillard wants Miami because he loves the city;has great respect for Jimmy & Heat and is good friends with Bam.And chance to win.Portland hasn't specifically told him yet that it will agree to try to trade him to Miami,but I would be surprised if they don't accommodate
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 1, 2023
Being in Miami is certainly an attractive proposition in itself. His respect for Jimmy Butler and friendship with Bam Adebayo would play a role, too, but the biggest one has to be the chance to win.
The last four seasons have seen the Heat reach the NBA Finals twice, and it could have been thrice, as they lost in seven games in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2022.
You always felt though, that the Heat needed a bit more firepower to get over the line and win the title, and Lillard would certainly help with that. In the 2022-23 season, he averaged 32.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 7.3 APG, 0.9 SPG, and 0.3 BPG and is definitely the kind of player they desperately need.
A Third Team Would Be Needed To Facilitate This Trade
While Lillard wants to go to the Heat and the Trail Blazers would like to grant his wish, it doesn’t mean they’d take a lesser package for him. NBA insider Chris Haynes reported that a third team would be needed to facilitate this trade as the Blazers want a star-level player back for Dame.
A potential package from the Heat would center around Tyler Herro, and they would prefer not to include Caleb Martin in it. That package wouldn’t interest the Blazers, and hence a third team is needed, with the Brooklyn Nets being the ones to keep an eye on.
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