It has been reported that Damian Lillard has requested a trade, despite previously stating that he would never shy away from the challenges of his current team. The decision has been met with understanding, as he has dedicated a significant amount of time to Portland and may benefit from a fresh start before his opportunity for a championship victory diminishes.
Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has requested a trade and the franchise is expected to work to accommodate him, sources told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne.
The Miami Heat, LA Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers are three teams that will have interest in exploring trades for Lillard, sources told ESPN.
Lillard’s preference is to be traded to the Heat, a source told Andscape’s Marc J. Spears.
The Blazers are expected to value deals that would bring them back young players and draft assets.
Lillard had contemplated requesting a trade when he met with the Blazers and general manager Joe Cronin on Monday, but wanted to give them every opportunity to improve the roster as free agency opened so he remained as quiet and supportive as he could this week, sources said. On Friday night he made the decision to ask for a trade.
Lillard has stuck with the franchise that chose him with the No. 6 pick in the 2012 NBA draft through two seasons in which Portland did not make the postseason following eight consecutive trips. But after the Blazers opted to use their No. 3 pick in last month’s draft on guard Scoot Henderson, the future direction of the franchise was clear.
Here is how a potential deal with the HEAT would look.
A package built around Herro, Kyle Lowry (who is due to make $29.7 million in the final year of his contract), and two or three first-round picks. The Heat would need to take back additional money besides Lillard in this scenario – perhaps Nassir Little (due $6.2 million and with four years left on his contract in that salary range) and a minimum player or two.
Who says no? Feel like this checks a lot of boxes for all parties
Dame Lillard seems destined to go to Miami but still would love to see the Sixers find a way to get in the mix pic.twitter.com/L0gDAzVah8
— Sean Barnard (@Sean_Barnard1) July 1, 2023
