After requesting a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard has made it clear where he wants to end up. Shams Al Sharania reported from The Athletic and Stadium that Lillard only wants to play for the Heat.
“Damien Lillard just wants to play for the Miami Heat,” Charania said. the gathering.
“Damien Lillard just wants to play for the Miami Heat… I’m told there are 3 or 4 team scenarios in a deal with the Heat that potentially get you several first-round draft picks.”
NBA Insider @employee Reports on Damian Lillard’s future. pic.twitter.com/LmrLJoIqXi
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The Trail Blazers will be patient with Damian Lillard
Despite Lillard’s request, Charania says the Blazers will be “patient” when it comes to their star’s future.
“It’s going to be a patient process. You’ll see Portland Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin go around the league, track the market and see what he can get in the market for.”
The Blazers are looking for a junior and multiple first-round pick in exchange for Lillard. The Heat could offer a package around Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, and several first-round picks and swaps.
A favorite is a potential result for Lillard, but the Blazers are looking for more for their best assets, which could result in multiple teams being added to join the deal.
“I’m told there are three or four scenarios for the team in a potential deal with the Heat in which the Blazers would potentially earn several first-round picks in the Lillard deal,” Charania said. You look at what Portland might want in a Damian Lillard deal, you want assets, young players potentially going forward, but they’re certainly going to get picks in a potential Lillard deal.”
Damian Lillard will make up Miami’s Big Three
If Lillard was traded to the Heat, he would form the “Big Three” with Jimmy Butler and Pam Adebayo.
He would arguably be the second-best trio in the league behind Denver’s Nikola Jokic, Jamaal Murray, and Aaron Gordon.
Miami is coming off its second NBA Finals appearance in four seasons.