(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Damian Lillard’s future in the NBA is one of the biggest talking points for fans right now.
Lillard requested a trade during the summer after being loyal to the Portland Trail Blazers for 11 years.
Dame specifically mentioned wanting to be traded to the Miami Heat and has dropped several hints for the Trail Blazers to pull the trigger on the trade.
As of now, a potential Lillard to Heat-trade is at a standstill, and many are wondering if the 33-year-old will pull a page out of James Harden’s book and force a trade.
According to NBA insider Sam Amick via Dru on Twitter, there’s only one scenario where Lillard could use Harden’s tactic.
“With Dame, I think the Harden-esque escalation wouldn’t happen unless he were dealt to a team like, say, Toronto, where he clearly doesn’t want to be,” Amic wrote.
“With Dame, I think the Harden-esque escalation wouldn’t happen unless he were dealt to a team like, say, Toronto, where he clearly doesn’t want to be.“ – @sam_amick https://t.co/s2Sc99OZ8W pic.twitter.com/P91nCVXeO3
— Dru (@dru_star) September 23, 2023
Lillard’s trade request from the Trail Blazers came as a direct impact of his wish to win an NBA Championship.
With Lillard entering into his mid-30s, the championship window for him is closing fast.
Keeping that in mind, if he were to be traded to a team like the Toronto Raptors, it wouldn’t improve his chances of winning a ring.
It will make Lillard unhappy and he may sit out in protest of the trade.
James Harden has pulled that move several times in his career, and it has always ended up in Harden getting his request fulfilled.
Dame may be contemplating his options before he takes such a step.
Moreover, the awkward situation can be avoided if the Trail Blazers simply trade him to the Heat, of course, they’d expect a hefty trade package in return.
The post Reporter Names A Scenario When Damian Lillard Could Use A James Harden Tactic appeared first on The Cold Wire.