(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
The Portland Trail Blazers have a troubling situation on their hands.
They have Damian Lillard under contract for the next four years, and — obviously — they want to do what’s best for the organization.
That means they won’t listen to Lillard when he says he wants to play for a given team unless that team is capable of submitting the best offer for his services.
However, NBA insider Shams Charania recently revealed that Lillard has let the Blazers know that he only intends to play for the Miami Heat.
“Damian Lillard only wants to play for the Miami Heat … I’m told there are 3- or 4-team scenarios in a deal with the Heat that would potentially net the Blazers several first-round draft picks.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania reports on Damian Lillard’s future. pic.twitter.com/LmrLJoIqXi
— The Rally (@TheRally) July 3, 2023
With that in mind, Charania adds that there are multiple scenarios in which the Heat could look to put together a three or even four-team trade to give the Blazers the plethora of assets and first-round pick a player like Lillard is worth.
As of now, the Heat could look to make a trade involving Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, and as many as three first-round picks.
That’s not as appealing as what other teams could offer.
Even so, Lillard could pretty much tank his trade value by going on record to let every single team looking to trade for him know that he doesn’t want to play for any of them.
That’s why the Blazers should be wise not to try and force things or go against Lillard’s wishes.
He’s been loyal and stood with them through thick and thin, so it’s time they do right by him and send him to a place where he can actually compete for a championship.
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