NBA rumors: We’re well into the deepest part of the NBA offseason and still, we are waiting for a major development on the Damian Lillard trade front. We all know that Dame wants out of the Portland Trail Blazers and that his preferred destination is the Miami Heat. However, nothing has really materialized just yet, which makes you wonder if anything will actually come to fruition here.
NBA Rumors: Heat, Blazers at an Impasse on Damian Lillard Trade Talks
ESPN’s NBA guru Adrian Wojnarowski has now provided a timely update on the status of trade talks between the Heat and the Balzers. Basically, Miami has already placed its best offer on the table for Dame, which Portland does not seem to be very amenable to:
“Certainly, Miami remains the team most motivated, that has enough assets to eventually perhaps outbid the market,” Wojnarowski said (h/t Francisco Rosa of Bleacher Report. “The problem is Portland looks at what Miami has, doesn’t love it, and keeps hoping something better is going to come along.
It is important to note here that the Heat seem to be the only real player in the race to sign Damian Lillard. While opposing teams may have also shown interest in the seven-time All-Star, the truth is that this appears to be a one-team race. Miami is well aware of this fact, which is why they are holding out on making an improved offer from what they already have:
“… Miami’s not going to bid against itself and keep upping it’s offer when it doesn’t think Portland necessarily has anything comparable,” Woj continued. “That’s why it’s dragging out and why it may continue to drag out. …Right now, there’s just not been a lot of engagement among teams on a Lillard trade.”
It now seems that this is going to be a matter of which side gives in first. Will the Heat succumb to the Blazers’ massive demands or will Portland finally realize that they won’t be getting a better offer than what Miami has on the table? Either way, it’s Damian Lillard who’s stuck in limbo at the moment.
NBA Rumors: Bucks Keeping a Keen Eye on Damian Lillard Situation
The Milwaukee Bucks have a lot invested in this trade saga. They are expected to be one of the top contenders in the East this season, and it goes without saying that the Heat are going to be one of their toughest challengers in 2023-24. The general expectation is that the defending Eastern Conference champions are going to be a more formidable side with Lillard in the mix, which will make life more difficult for the Bucks and their title hopes this coming season. Much like the rest of us, the Bucks are also keeping a keen eye on this whole Dame Lillard situation — perhaps even more so.
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