Damian Lillard didn’t let his desire to be a mystery and requested a trade as soon as the NBA free agency started. The Portland Trail Blazers’ guard stated the Miami Heat as his desired and only preferred destination. His agent also said that the player might not show up at the training camp if traded to some other team than the Heats.
Damian is one of the finest players in the NBA, and when a player like him steps into the market, there are many teams interested. Here’s all the information you need about the teams interested in the Blazers’ guard.
Damian Lillard to the Miami Heat?
Damian wants the Heat, and Heat would love to have Damian as well. The only hurdle both parties have is the Heats aren’t able to meet the expectations of the Blazers. Miami can’t offer more than two tradable first-round picks. Tyler Herro is somebody they can trade Damian Lillard with, but since the Blazers already have enough guards, they would not like to add another expensive one. Involvement of a third team is needed to make it happen.
Damian Lillard says the ‘grass isn’t always greener’ when you leave a franchise
“You look at Russell Westbrook. You leave OKC for Houston, then James [Harden] decided he's leaving, now Russ is traded to D.C., then you get traded from D.C. to the Lakers, now you're on your fourth… pic.twitter.com/kIuKq8sVsF
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) February 28, 2023
Damian Lillard to the Brooklyn Nets?
The Nets have a lot to offer, they have their first-round picks and some future picks from the Mavericks and the Sixers as well. The Nets will most probably make an offer that the Blazers would not be able to refuse. After some terrible trades, the Nets might have double thoughts over this, but they have the salary cap available, and they have the players needed for trade as well; Damian is worthy of a try as well.
Damian Lillard to the Philadelphia 76ers?
The Sixers are trading Harden to the Clippers for a hefty amount of players. It is a probability that they exchange Lillard for whatever they get for Harden, along with Tyrese Maxey. But Maxey is another guard, and the Blazers have plenty of them already. Involvement of the 4th team will be required here.
Damian Lillard's response when asked which of the Heat, Knicks, Celtics, or Nets he wouldn't mind being traded to:
Miami and Brooklyn.
“Miami is the obvious one. Bam is my dog. Brooklyn is another obvious one because Mikal Bridges is my dog too. Both have capable rosters.” pic.twitter.com/UZEy6cvqIp
— Erik Slater (@erikslater_) June 7, 2023
Damian Lillard to the Toronto Raptors?
The Raptors are clueless after they traded VanVleet, but they have control over their future drafts. They can use Scottie Barnes for the trade but are unlikely to do so. Pascal Siakam or OG Anunoby are expected to make way for Damian Lillard.
Damian’s trade is one of the spiciest and most complex this offseason. Let’s see if he gets his desired team or is forced to leave for another.
