More than two months after Damian Lillard’s request to be traded to the Miami Heat, the Portland Trail Blazers continue their efforts to find a suitable deal for their superstar point guard.
While the Heat remains Lillard’s preferred destination, the stalemate between the two teams has led Portland to explore trade discussions with multiple Eastern Conference franchises.
NBA insider Marc J. Spears shed light on the ongoing trade talks, stating that the Trail Blazers have been engaged in discussions with several teams.
This willingness to entertain trade scenarios beyond the Heat raises intriguing questions about the future of the Top 75 player in the league.
The risk associated with acquiring Lillard without his blessing could have far-reaching implications for both the acquiring team and Lillard’s future relationship with the Blazers.
“The Blazers have been talking to several teams,” Spears said on ESPN’s NBA Today. “But I don’t even know if that’s the Blazers. But when you say ‘several teams,’ that also suggests that they could be willing to trade for him or send him somewhere that’s not the Miami Heat, which is certainly very curious.
“It’s one thing for a team to trade for a player who doesn’t want to be there, but to get a player at the Top 75 player that is gonna be professional, but is he gonna be a happy employee? Do you wanna do that to Dame Lillard? That’s the biggest question.
“Who has the guts to do it as well? Would Boston do it? I’m kind of hearing rumors about another Eastern Conference team that I’m not gonna throw out there just yet.
“If a team is able to trade for Lillard without his blessing, that’s very very risky not only to that team but also to the future relationship for the future Hall of Famer with the Blazers.”
