A pair of new reports may make Portland Trail Blazers fans that hope a Damian Lillard trade doesn’t happen very happy, and Miami Heat supporters quite annoyed.
The 2023 NBA Draft was a month ago, and the bulk of players that were up for grabs in NBA free agency have signed with teams for next season and beyond. For the most part, the majority of teams around the league are set on their rosters for the 2023-2024 season. However, there is still one major avenue that could bring some huge changes before training camps open in October.
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As NBA fans saw last summer with Donovan Mitchell, blockbuster trades can happen later in the offseason, and superstars James Harden and Damian Lillard have requested departures from their respective teams, the Philadelphia 76ers, and Portland Trail Blazers. Both seem like an eventuality since the issues seem unsolvable and both players are trying to force their way to specific teams.
However, when it comes to Lillard and the Trail Blazers, things are starting to drag on and there are rumblings it could all be a part of a grand scheme by Portland to evade talks and wait the situation out.
Portland Trail Blazers have been evasive in Damian Lillard trade talks
On a Friday edition of the “This League Uncut” podcast, NBA insider Chris Haynes spilled some very interesting tea on the latest trade talks between the Miami Heat — the only organization Lillard wants to go to — and the Portland Trail Blazers.
“Portland is telling [Miami] to, ‘Bring us your best offer.’ Miami would like to know what does Portland want and Miami is not getting that answer. And so they feel like things could be moving on a little bit quicker if Portland would say exactly what it is they want. Because obviously, Miami doesn’t have all the assets that Portland would want in return for a Damian Lillard trade. So they want to know, ‘Okay, what do we have to get out there? What other teams do we have to get involved to make this work?’ And so far, the communication is just not there.”
– Chris Haynes
It is a weird stance for the Trail Blazers to take in such a monumental trade for the franchise. It very much seems like they are trying to avoid a deal including the team legend. They also made that preference clear in June before Lillard officially requested to be moved.
Well, there may be some truth to their apparent evasive strategy to a Damian Lillard trade. During a new episode of the “Heat Check” podcast, Miami beat reporter Anthony Chiang claimed a source close to the situation felt Portland does not want “to trade Damian Lillard at this point. Like it almost feels like they’re trying to find a way to, maybe change his mind or it just takes a while and delay,” negotiations.
Lillard’s representatives have suggested he could sit out of training camp if a deal isn’t made. However, considering how long it took for a request to happen and his loyalty to the franchise and city, it wouldn’t be completely shocking if he rescinded the offer. Similar to what Kevin Durant did in Brooklyn last summer.