(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
It took him a while, but Damian Lillard has finally come to terms with the decision to leave the Portland Trail Blazers.
And according to Miami Heat insider Barry Jackson, via NBACentral, the multi-time All-Star remains adamant about being traded to Erik Spoelstra’s team.
Despite interest from other teams, Damian Lillard remains adamant that he only wants to play for Miami, per @flasportsbuzz pic.twitter.com/Q6yDKJt7Hh
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 3, 2023
Nonetheless, the Portland front office has made it clear that they’ll only consider the best options for the organization, regardless of Lillard’s feelings.
This front office might feel like they don’t owe him anything, which is valid from a business standpoint.
On the other hand, Lillard has stayed loyal to the organization through multiple recruiting processes and trade rumors, so one could think that he’s at least earned the right to choose were he wants to continue his career.
Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause like Bradley Beal, but he could still have a say in his next destination.
Albeit unlikely, he could simply tell teams interested in trading for him that he doesn’t want to play for them, thus driving them away.
At the end of the day, perhaps the best thing for all parties involved would be to figure something out to get Lillard to his preferred destination, even if it means getting more teams involved.
The Heat don’t have the best trade package for Lillard by any means, but Pat Riley used to be one of the most aggressive negotiators in this business, so he might have to work his magic one more time.
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