The Portland Trail Blazers have played hardball with Damian Lillard.
Lillard and his camp have let it be known that they want him to play for the Miami Heat, and they’re not currently considering other options.
The Blazers, on the other hand, aren’t interested in what the Heat have to offer and have made it clear that they won’t cave into his demands unless they get a return they find suitable for his services.
However, NBA insider Bobby Marks recently said on The Lowe Post that the Blazers are highly unlikely to get a better bid for their multi-time All-Star right now, stating that an offer consisting of Tyler Herro, two young players, and draft picks is actually the best they can expect. (via NBA Central).
ESPN’s Bobby Marks believes that the trade proposal Miami has for Damian Lillard is the most attractive offer Portland will get
“If you’re Portland you have to come to a realization that Herro, the two young players, and draft picks is going to be better than what you’ll get.”… pic.twitter.com/kh2LfloKia
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 5, 2023
Lillard’s camp made a mistake by leaking his desire to play for the Heat and the Heat alone, as it pretty much killed all their leverage.
No team will now look to make an offer for him, as they know he wants to be in South Beach and may not be happy or even fully committed somewhere else.
There aren’t many teams with enough cap space or assets to make a trade for Lillard as it is.
His age, contract, and desire to be somewhere else make it even more difficult.
The Blazers have every right to try and maximize his value, but it feels like a trade to the Heat is imminent, whether they want to do it now or later in the season.
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