As the Portland Trail Blazers continue to search for the best return possible, Damian Lillard is eagerly awaiting his big move to Miami. After issuing his trade request this month, Damian revealed his only preferred landing spot to be the Heat, and they’ve been working day and night to figure something out.
Unfortunately for Miami, they don’t seem to have the assets required to pull off a trade, but they can use a third team to help facilitate the deal. In fact, according to Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian, there are several teams who have offered to step up as the third party between the Heat and Blazers.
“There’s a lot of [3rd] teams that have inquired about [joining a Dame deal]—What I’m being told is there’s a ton of [3rd] teams that are trying to get involved one way or another—There’s definitely numerous other teams that have inquired about getting in on this.”
The big holdback in this trade is Tyler Herro. Based on his contract, he’s pretty much a requirement to include in any deal for Lillard, but Portland has no interest in adding another high-scoring guard to their packed backcourt.
So the only real path for the Heat is finding another team to either take on Herro and send assets back to Portland on top of their own package of picks and young players.
It will obviously require some work from Miami, but it’s something they’ll need to take care of if they want Lillard in a timely manner.
Blazers Are Playing Hardball With Pat Riley
Coming into the Lillard trade talks, it was believed that Miami held all the leverage, but it’s clear that the Trail Blazers have no problem sitting on this until they get an offer to their liking.
The strategy has led to frustration within the Heat organization, but there remains no time limit on how long the Blazers can stretch this out.
“Miami’s frustrated w/ how things are moving slowly. Portland’s telling them bring us your best offer,” said Chris Haynes on #thisleague UNCUT. “Miami would like to know what Portland wants and MIA isn’t getting that answer. Heat feel like things could be moving quicker if Portland said exactly what they want.”
Only time will tell how this saga ultimately ends, but desperation grows in Miami with each passing day. In a perfect world, they’d have Lillard in a Miami jersey by now, but the Blazers have not made things particularly easy for them.
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