Under normal circumstances, the Portland Trail Blazers should be getting some mind-boggling trade offers for Damian Lillard.
But the Weber State product has hurt his trade value significantly by letting it be known that he only wants to play for the Miami Heat.
According to multiple reports, the Heat haven’t even made their best offer yet because they don’t feel like they have to do it to get Lillard, mostly because no one else will make a good offer for him either.
Apparently, that’s precisely what’s going on right now, as Blazers insider Aaron Fentress reports that no team has made a significant offer for the multi-time All-Star as of now (via NBACentral).
The Blazers are receiving unimpressive trade offers for Damian Lillard from teams other than Miami, per @AaronJFentress
“I’m told that there’s not great traction in these areas, that they’re really not being wowed by anything that’s substantial.”
(h/t @WireHoops ) pic.twitter.com/6wiIGhOXej
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 21, 2023
As crazy as it may seem at first glance, this actually makes perfect sense.
Why would a team go all-in on a player who doesn’t want to be there?
Some fear he could use any other team as a bridge to get to Miami anyway, so there’s no reason to go all-in on him if he’s going to get whatever he wants anyway.
Lillard is one of the best scorers in the game, a bona fide leader, and the kind of player who would instantly raise the ceiling of any team he plays for.
He’s also under contract for the next four years, all but making him even more valuable as a potential trade target.
But his actions and words about wanting to play for Miami have killed all hope for the Blazers of getting equal value in return, which is why NBA Commissioner Adam Silver might have to step in if this trade actually goes down.
NEXT: Dwyane Wade Shares His Thoughts On Damian Lillard's Career
