Blazers’ Damian Lillard Would Report to Any Team That Trades for Him

Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has demanded a trade to the Heat — but would still report should another team trade for him, as relayed by Aaron J. Fentress of the Oregonian.

Lillard requested a trade on July 1 and we are now about three weeks away from the start of training camp. He remains with Portland.

Both Lillard and agent Aaron Goodwin have made it clear that Lillard only wants to play in Miami. With that in mind, Blazers GM Joe Cronin predicted a deal could take “months.” That was a couple months ago.

Sources have told Hoops Wire that interest in Lillard outside of Miami has waned for several reasons, with the biggest being that teams don’t want to surrender assets to acquire an unhappy player. Also, Lillard is 33-years old and still has four years and $216 million left on his contract.

So unless the Blazers suddenly find they like whatever the Heat have to offer, Lillard very well could begin the season in Portland. That scenario is what most insiders predict.

NBA training camps tip off Oct. 3, in less than a month. If Lillard is still with the Blazers, he will report and play, per Fentress. “But he won’t be happy about it,” Fentress wrote.

Damian Lillard, according to NBA sources, would go wherever traded, despite report, but would an NBA team risk giving up major assets for what would be an unhappy point guard owed $216 million?

Seems doubtful. https://t.co/CVAemEw9iy

— Aaron J. Fentress (@AaronJFentress) September 12, 2023