- Blazers and Heat have barely talked despite the growing intensity of trade talks
- Mystery teams have begun making offers for the 7x All-Star
- NBA fans are clueless about what is happening amid increasing uncertainty
In the last few hours, reports around the league have indicated a heavy increase in trade talks from the Portland Trail Blazers involving their star, Damian Lillard. While this development is hardly news at this point, fans were a bit blind-sighted when it was revealed that the Heat were not a part of the ongoing discussions for Lillard.
In fact, as NBA insider Brian Windhorst clarified on Friday, there’s been almost no communication between Miami and Portland since weeks ago. “I don’t think the Heat are desperate at all to trade for Damian Lillard,” said Windhorst. “I don’t think that the Heat and Trail Blazers have been engaged in talks at all on almost any level for quite some time. That could change very quickly.”
All week, fans assumed that progress was being made on a Lillard trade and one insider claimed that he wouldn’t be surprised if there was a major deal within 24 hours. Couple that report with Dame’s mysteriously sentimental social media activity, and people were getting the sense that something was happening. Evidently, whatever is going on, Miami is not yet involved and it could mean, among other things, that they are falling behind in the race for Lillard.
Fans Demand Answers After Contradictory Update
It hasn’t taken long for fans to notice how strange this whole situation has become. Lillard, who asked for a trade months ago, is essentially being denied his wishes as the Trail Blazers angle to get the best possible return for him. And despite Lillard only requesting a trade to one team, it seems that other teams are willing to join the negotiations and take on the risk of adding an unhappy superstar. For the first time in a while, Lillard’s path to the Heat looks to be in jeopardy and nobody can predict how this will play out.
The last 24 hours have been the loudest around a Lillard trade.
As of now, there are multiple teams that have been linked to potential deals- with deals that do not involve Lillard ending up in Miami.
This is going to be a roller coaster.
— Danny Marang (@DannyMarang) September 22, 2023
Does anyone know what is going on with the Damian Lillard stuff
— Blazers Palace (@blazers_palace) September 22, 2023
I don’t think I’ve seen a single prominent NBA reporter (Woj, Shams, etc.) talk about a team involved with Damian Lillard other than the Miami Heat.
At the end of the day, who are these teams and what are they offering? Still nothing.
— Austin (@AustK14) September 22, 2023
When you finally realize Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro won’t get you Damian Lillard. https://t.co/d9yj9FHqc3 pic.twitter.com/qmoI5dQ2ho
— Omer Osman (@OmerOsman200) September 22, 2023
It’s been a wild ride for months now and nobody is certain when or how it will all end. But as the offseason draws to a close, it’s looking more and more like this is going to have a different outcome than everyone envisioned.
Who Are The Mystery Teams In Talks For Lillard?
Since Lillard has made it clear that he only wants to play for the Heat, any team that trades for him outside of the Heat will be taking an enormous risk. With four years left on his contract, Lillard essentially has no choice but to play wherever he’s at next season and that fact may have convinced some GMs to join the sweepstakes.
Currently, it’s still a mystery which teams besides Miami have entered talks but we know that the Raptors, 76ers, and the Phoenix Suns have recently been connected to the 7x All-Star. The Raptors can probably make the best package out of anyone if they’re willing to give up Scottie Barnes, but the 76ers aren’t too far behind with a package centered around Tyrese Maxey.
In the end, whichever team is willing to give up the youngest players and draft picks in the deal is going to be the one that lands Lillard, and it might not even matter to them that he lands somewhere outside his preference. Either way, things are sure to get interesting for all sides with training camp just a few weeks away now.
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