Report: Damian Lillard’s demand to be traded to the Miami Heat may deter other teams from making a trade for him
Damian Lillard, the top guard for the Portland Trail Blazers, ᴜtterly shocked the NBA on Saturday by asking to be traded to the Miami Heat.
The Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Clippers are a few additional clubs that have been connected to the leading scorer. Lillard appears to have his sights set solely on the Heat, though. That might be sufficient to discourage other teams from trading for him.
The Heat would only gain if Lillard’s options were limited. In that instance, the team might be able to offer the seven-time All-Star a less valuable package.
With 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game while making 46.3 percent of his field goal tries and 37.1 percent of his three-point attempts, Lillard is coming off probably the finest season of his career.
He was unable to guide the Trail Blazers back into the playoffs, though, as they had a difficult season and finished 33-49. For the first time in head coach Chauncey Billups’ two seasons with the team, Portland has now missed the playoffs.
Lillard wants to join the Heat for a variety of reasons, including a better opportunity to win a championship. The seven-time All-NBA pick is considering a move because of Heat studs Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Miami advanced all the way to the NBA Finals last year despite having to compete in the play-in tournament and nearly getting ousted at home in its second play-in game by the Chicago Bulls.
Before facing the Denver Nuggets, the Heat defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and Boston Celtics. They lost the series in five games because they were unable to contain Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the rest of the team.
An exceptional scorer like Lillard was one of the crucial elements the Heat were missing during the Finals, and this became very evident. The former first-round pick’s addition would significantly improve an offense that finished worst in scoring the previous year.
Though it appears obvious that Tyler Herro would be involved in any trade, it will be intriguing to see what kind of package the Heat send over if a deal is made.
His recent social media behavior has sparked some questions about what may happen in the future. But for the time being, all that can be done is wait and see.