Damian Lillard Submits Trade Request
Damian Lillard officially requested a trade out of Portland. After eleven great seasons for the Trail Blazers, “Dolla Dame” is set to seek new pastures. Obviously the Miami Heat are a leading contender, along with the Brooklyn Nets. Shams Charania made the news official:
Breaking: Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard has requested a trade out of Portland, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. The Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets are among leading suitors for one of the NBA’s 75 Greatest Players ever. pic.twitter.com/nw8OIepAHz
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2023
At age 32, Lillard only has so many years in the NBA left. Despite vocally pledging his desire to stay in Portland and build, it has now reached a breaking point. You can’t be mad at the guy because he wants to win. And if it happens, the Heat would be a great place to do that.
Welcome To Miami?
It appears the Miami Heat have been preparing for this. Last night they sent Victor Oladipo to OKC in order to create some flexibility. They also watched Max Strus and Gabe Vincent depart on very nice pay raises. At this point, they have no options to upgrade other than Dame. In terms of salary, there are plenty of ways to make he money match. Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, and Tyler Herro would all be candidates to include in a Lillard deal. There is also young talent like Nikola Jovic and 2023 first-round pick Jaime Jazquez. If anyone could pull this off on a tightrope, it’s Pat Riley.
The Nets also make sense. They have tons of first round picks and young talent after dealing Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant at the trade deadline. There is also a good relationship between Dame and Mikal Bridges. However, like the Heat, Brooklyn has a delicate cap situation. They just brought Cam Johnson back on a 4-year deal.
Damian Lillard would like to end his time in Portland. It looks like Miami and Brooklyn are up next. But, Miami might have the upper hand. It is confirmed that Dame’s preferred destination is Miami. It could be Dame Time in South Beach soon.
