(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Although it seemed unlikely even a few weeks ago, there is an increasing chance that Damian Lillard is with the Portland Trail Blazers when the new season begins.
He wants to depart the team after 11 years and he hopes to play for the Miami Heat but a deal to make that happen hasn’t been made.
According to Shams Charania and The Athletic, the Heat have been prepared to offer the Blazers a deal around three to four first-round draft picks, with Tyler Herro going to a third team for assets.
Meanwhile, they would also send expiring contracts as well as a young player like Nikola Jovic and second-round picks and draft swaps.
Yet, even with all of that in the deal, “there remains no traction from Portland.”
Ever since early July, the Heat have been prepared to offer the Trail Blazers a package for Damian Lillard, sources tell @ShamsCharania.
But there remains no traction from Portland.
Details: https://t.co/u4PL68mHWC pic.twitter.com/Tx8jdsqpBv
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) August 8, 2023
How can both sides come together and agree to the terms of this – or any – deal?
At this point, it’s not entirely clear what the Heat can offer Portland.
They have put up an awful lot of assets.
Short of sending the Blazers Bam Adebayo, which they said they absolutely wouldn’t do, the Heat don’t have much more they can give.
That is why some people believe that perhaps this deal won’t be made.
The Blazers are well within their right to not move on any deal they’re not happy with.
But that means they might not agree to anything from the Heat.
Since Lillard has his heart set on that team and only that team, there won’t be any others stepping forward to make an offer.
So the Blazers are stuck dealing only with the Heat and they aren’t enthusiastic about their offering.
Therefore, this deal remains stuck in a stalemate.
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