Blazers Not Engaging Heat in Damian Lillard Trade Talks

Why haven’t the Trail Blazers traded star guard Damian Lillard to the Heat, as he’s requested?Damian Lillard” width=”300″ height=”169″>

Well, the answer is obvious. For starters, the Blazers aren’t nearly as interested in Lillard being traded to the Heat as Lillard.

Secondly, Miami hasn’t made Portland an offer that Portland likes. It really does seem to be that simple.

Lillard requested a trade to the Heat at the start of July, and agent Aaron Goodwin has been vocal about getting him to Miami. So much so that the NBA sent a memo to all 30 teams, basically telling them that they are all free to try to negotiate a trade for Lillard — and not just Miami.

Anyway, Blazers GM Joe Cronin has made it clear he’s in no hurry to actually trade Lillard, especially if Lillard only wants to play for the Heat, again, as he does. Some have suggested Cronin could wait until the February trade deadline to make the move.

And per Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Blazers aren’t impressed with any sort of Heat offer to this point.

“Portland has remained disinclined to engage Heat in serious trade discussions on Lillard,” Jackson reported late Monday, citing a source. “Blazers acting disinterested about dealing him here. One would think Blazers would get serious about this at some point, but they’re still not engaging Miami in negotiations.”

Granted, this could all change, as the Heat (and Lillard and Goodwin) will likely keep pushing for a deal. The Blazers will certainly listen. But it’s been one month since Lillard made his request and it appears the needle has not budged.

If you’re the Blazers, you figure it’s a rebuilding year, anyway. You drafted promising guard Scoot Henderson with the No. 3 overall pick, you have a young roster, and you are already prepared that things may be a little rocky. If Lillard doesn’t report … so be it. You’re not planning on him being there, anyway.

So for now, he is still a member of the Blazers and unless the Heat find something better, there is indeed a chance this could drag on for a while.

Per source, Portland has remained disinclined to engage Heat in serious trade discussions on Lillard. Blazers acting disinterested about dealing him here. One would think Blazers would get serious about this at some point, but they're still not engaging Miami in negotiations

— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) August 1, 2023