The 2023 offseason has slowed down tremendously after the first week of free agency, with only sparse moves happening around the league. The Damian Lillard trade saga has held up the market, as players and teams are waiting to see the resolution on that front.
The Blazers are unwilling to trade Lillard to the Miami Heat due to the team’s poor offer for their franchise star. Tracy McGrady agrees with the Blazers’ approach of wanting at least All-Star caliber players to come to Portland in a possible Lillard trade.
“The evolution of the NBA. You get hit with some shit each and every year. Dame, to me, it was time. But if I’m Portland, I got to do what’s best for our franchise, as well. I’m not gonna give away you, Dame, with you just coming off averaging 32 points. You still got game. I gotta get someone back that’s All-Star caliber.”
Lillard has stayed pretty steadfast in his desire to be traded to the Miami Heat, not willing to discuss possible moves to other franchises.
He averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists last season and was named to the All-NBA Second Team, so the Blazers can’t just give him away for cheap because he wants to go to a specific team.
Where Will Damian Lillard End Up?
I think we are headed toward Lillard, eventually wearing a Miami Heat jersey. The Blazers can’t send him to a team he doesn’t want to play for because of his long-standing association with the franchise. This isn’t the same as the Nets ensuring Kyrie Irving doesn’t get traded to the Lakers, as Lillard has 12 years of loyalty to the franchise on his resume.
The Heat will continue finding ways to generate the assets needed for Lillard, but their roster is pretty thin on ways of attracting value. They will pray they can flip Tyler Herro into multiple picks and send it to the Blazers, or the franchise giving in and just accept Herro in a trade package.
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