Heat Cited as Damian Lillard’s Preferred Destination

The Trail Blazers are searching for trade partners for All-Star guard Damian Lillard, and the Heat and Nets are his preferred destinations, per Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report/TNT.

Lillard requested a trade from the organization, as we relayed here, and Miami was long believed to be on his radar. The Heat are coming off a run to the Finals, becoming just the second No. 8 seed to accomplish the feat.

They are believed to be open to trading guard Tyler Herro, small forward Duncan Robinson and draft compensation — though that’s pure speculation at this point.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, Lillard wants a trade specifically to the Heat. The Clippers and 76ers are also expected to pursue Lillard, per Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN.

How the Nets factor in has been undetermined, though from the sounds of things, they’re Lillard’s second choice.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been informed that Damian Lillard wants a trade specifically to the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. https://t.co/CE2lJVcuod

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2023