Damian Lillard spent 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers in hopes of winning an NBA Championship. But Lillard finally had enough as he demanded a trade request after being unhappy with how the franchise was unable to build a winning roster around him.
According to reports, Lillard wants to play for the Miami Heat. But what if the Trail Blazers do not trade him to the Heat? Well, NBA analyst Ryen Russillo believes it could harm the organization’s chances of landing an All-Star caliber player in the future.
“There will not be an All-Star caliber player that requests a trade in a few years that says ‘I was leaning L.A. or Miami but I really like the way Portland handled the Dame situation. I demand to become a Trail Blazer,'” Russillo tweeted.
There will not be an All Star caliber player that requests a trade in a few years that says “I was leaning LA or Miami but I really like the way Portland handled the Dame situation. I demand to become a Trailblazer.”
— Russillo (@ryenarussillo) July 3, 2023
Damian Lillard averaged 32.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, and 7.3 APG in the 2022-23 NBA season. Lillard was undoubtedly one of the best players in the league.
As for the Heat, they are coming off their second NBA Finals appearance in the last four seasons. Lillard previously mentioned he would only demand a trade to the Heat if they failed to win the NBA Championship. The Heat were defeated in five games by the Denver Nuggets, so it’s no surprise that Lillard wants to play for them.
Damian Lillard Only Wants To Play For The Miami Heat
Damian Lillard’s trade request wasn’t shocking by any means. Lillard wants to win an NBA Championship at this stage in his career. Playing alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo is undoubtedly his best bet to win a ring.
But how badly does Lillard want to be traded to the Heat? According to NBA insider Shams Charania, Dame only wants to play for the Heat in the upcoming season.
“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.”
Will the Trail Blazers fulfill Lillard’s request to be traded to the Heat? Or will they take the best trade package available and risk their chances of landing a star player in the future? We will find out in the coming weeks.
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