NBA news: It has now been a couple of weeks since Damian Lillard shocked the basketball world by demanding a trade away from the Portland Trail Blazers. There was a lot of buzz surrounding Dame’s potential exit after more than a decade in Portland, but it still came as a major surprise when the seven-time All-Star actually made his intention to jump ship public.
Lillard identified the Miami Heat as his preferred destination, and it appears that the Blazers are now in deep negotiations with the Heat about a potential blockbuster deal. At this point, it feels like it’s only a matter of time before an agreement is announced.
Miami Heat On Verge Of Blockbuster Damian Lillard Deal?
According to multiple reports, the Heat already have an offer on the table for Dame. This comes in the form of Tyler Herro and no less than three first-round picks. According to Blazers insider Aaron J. Fentress of The Oregonian, the Heat are also willing to include a couple of “young talents” in the package while also sending a contract(s) in Miami’s direction to match Dame’s $45.6 million salary for 2023-24. Portland, however, is still holding out:
“If [the Blazers] can come out of this with four first-round picks, at least one, if not two young talents, and then salary filler, that should get it done,” Fentress said on a recent podcast appearance (h/t Jelani Scott of SI). “I’m told that right now, Miami has three firsts, Herro, filler and maybe a young player already, like willing to go with that. So, the question is finding that fourth [first-round pick].
“And if you don’t want Herro, you just have to find someone to take Herro and give you another first-round pick. Then you’re at four firsts and, then, at least one young player and salary filler, and maybe two young players. So, I’m told it’s pretty close, they just have to work it out.”
The Heat and the Blazers are obviously doing business, so I guess it’s now just a matter of finding common ground.
Do Bucks Have Legitimate Shot At Damian Lillard?
Some Milwaukee Bucks fans are probably wondering if it’s actually possible to see Lillard play alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee. After all, Dame himself previously revealed that the one player he would like to play with en route to an NBA title is none other than Giannis himself.
However, after seeing what the Blazers are demanding for their cornerstone star, it is also clear that the Bucks do not have enough assets to make this deal work. An Antetokounmpo-Lillard partnership does seem very attractive, but given how it will pretty much require Milwaukee to gut the rest of their roster while also having to give up whatever future assets they may have, it just doesn’t seem like a sound deal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why isn't Damian Lillard playing?
- Damian Lillard isn't playing because he requested a trade and the Trail Blazers are likely to grant his request, reports ESPN. Additionally, Lillard has been sidelined for the rest of the 2022-23 season due to a calf injury, as shared by Chris Haynes of Turner Sports.
How many 3s does Lillard have?
- Damian Lillard has made an impressive 2,387 three-point shots till now in his career in the NBA. He has expressed his remarkable shooting skills by sinking these shots from beyond the arc.