(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Many people expected Damian Lillard to be with the Miami Heat by now.
When the star guard demanded a trade to South Beach a few weeks ago, most analysts thought that a deal could come together quickly.
Now we sit in the middle of summer and Lillard still hasn’t been shipped off to the Heat.
According to Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson, Portland doesn’t feel driven to create any deal.
He stated that the Blazers have been “unmotivated to engage with Heat or try to get this done.”
He added: “Maybe they hope this plays out like Durant last summer & they cajole him to start season with team. If so, then it’s in Dame’s hands, whether he reports to camp, makes public comment, etc.”
As of midweek, Portland had been unmotivated to engage with Heat or try to get this done. Maybe they hope this plays out like Durant last summer & they cajole him to start season with team. If so, then it’s in Dame’s hands, whether he reports to camp,makes public comment etc https://t.co/CCZOZBYRuV
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 14, 2023
It sounds like both sides are in a stalemate and it’s not clear who makes the next move.
Lillard isn’t backing down and his agent has been playing hardball.
Other teams across the league have been informed that Lillard doesn’t want to play for anyone but the Heat and acquiring him would simply acquire an unhappy player.
This leaves Miami as the only real team that Portland can work with.
But the Blazers aren’t looking to agree to anything that doesn’t give them exactly what they want.
Perhaps they will call Lillard’s bluff and force him to start the season with the Blazers.
They might figure that he’d rather play than anger the fanbase that has been so loyal to him throughout the years.
There is still plenty of time for the Blazers to change their minds and start negotiating with the Heat.
But as time goes on, both sides of this fight are digging their heels in deeper.
The post The Blazers Are Reportedly ‘Unmotivated’ To Send Damian Lillard To Miami appeared first on The Cold Wire.