Damian Lillard requested a commerce from the Portland Path Blazers on July 1, simply someday after the opening of NBA free company and fewer than two weeks after the 2023 NBA Draft. Lillard instantly made it recognized he wished to be dealt to the Miami Warmth. Practically three months later, the famous person guard stays in Portland and seems no nearer to getting his want.
With coaching camps across the league opening at first of October, the Blazers are reportedly renewing Lillard commerce talks with the hope of finishing a deal earlier than camp. Whereas many have believed a commerce sending Dame to Miami is inevitable, latest experiences recommend the Blazers are keen to speak to any workforce aside from Miami. As commerce talks have picked up once more, a number of league insiders are reporting that Miami and Portland nonetheless aren’t speaking.
Right here’s what Adrian Wojnarowski not too long ago mentioned on ESPN:
“These talks have intensified this week with Lillard. However nonetheless, there is no commerce imminent. To date the one factor that has not been part of these talks are the Miami Warmth. However we all know in commerce talks, in conversations, that may change in a single second with one name.” – @wojespn pic.twitter.com/nsA7HWojbu
— Dru (@dru_star) September 22, 2023
“To date the one factor that has not been part of these talks are the Miami Warmth,” Wojnarowski mentioned.
Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report is tied in with Lillard nearer than any reporter within the league. Haynes appeared on a podcast this week and mentioned Portland is refusing to speak to Miami. Haynes mentioned the final time the 2 sides spoke was throughout Summer time League.
As Woj notes within the clip above, issues can change rapidly in commerce talks. Even when Miami and Portland haven’t spoke a few potential Lillard deal not too long ago, each side know what the opposite has to supply. Miami’s finest supply would come with first spherical picks in 2026 (which requires the workforce amending the protections on a future choose owed to the Thunder), 2028, and 2030. It additionally consists of rookie Jaime Jaquez, and matching wage within the type of some mixture of Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, and Duncan Robinson.
Portland is reportedly participating on multi-team offers, per Jake Fischer of Yahoo! Sports activities. The Toronto Raptors and Chicago Bulls have been talked about as potential Lillard suitors. It stays to be seen if these groups involvement within the deal could be to land Lillard, or to assist additional property change fingers to facilitate Dame’s arrival in Miami.
We got here up with some pretend trades presents for Lillard from groups aside from Miami earlier this summer season. If the Blazers can leverage the Warmth for a 3rd first spherical choose, and get all of them unprotected, it nonetheless seems like Miami can supply the most effective general bundle of any suitor. The Blazers merely don’t appear concerned about doing enterprise with them at this level.
Lillard, 33 years outdated, has 4 years, $216 million remaining on his contract. Dame needs Miami, and Miami needs Dame, but it surely takes two sides, at minimal, to make a deal. For now, it looks like Portland needs to commerce Lillard anyplace however his most popular vacation spot.
