Adrian Wojnarowski appeared on ESPN this week and provided the most recent Damian Lillard commerce replace that he was conscious of.
Earlier within the offseason, Lillard lastly demanded that the Portland Path Blazers transfer him. The choice wasn’t totally sudden, although the phrases which he tried to dictate appeared to have caught the crew’s entrance workplace off guard.
Basically, Lillard made it clear he wouldn’t play for anybody apart from the Miami Warmth. He even tried to supply his rationale for why that was the one crew he would play for. That clearly gave Miami numerous leverage in negotiations, which didn’t sit nicely with the Blazers.
Based on Wojnarowski, the Warmth are presently within the strategy of calling Portland’s bluff.
“[Miami Heat wants] Damian Lillard. They only need him for as little as they’re going to have to surrender… They’re basically daring [the Trail Blazers] to exit into {the marketplace}— which Portland is doing.”
— @wojespn
(through @ESPNNBA)pic.twitter.com/coooYrR4l5
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 19, 2023
“[The Heat want] Damian Lillard,” he mentioned.
“They only need him for as little as they’re going to have to surrender… They’re basically daring [the Blazers] to exit into {the marketplace}. Which Portland is doing.”
Clearly the chance right here is that Portland actually will get a greater provide, ignore Lillard’s most popular commerce locale and settle for a special squad’s proposal.
There’s presently a minimum of one darkish horse suitor ready within the wings, however probably extra that individuals merely aren’t conscious of.
Lillard, for his half, appears intent on making good with the Blazers in the meanwhile. Whether or not that’s as a result of he doesn’t wish to be shipped off to a non-Miami vacation spot or as a result of he’s anticipating having to attend coaching camp is unclear.
That mentioned, throughout a current podcast look, Lillard made it a degree to say there was no ill-will between him and the group for his or her determination to draft Scoot Henderson.
“That wasn’t a dealbreaker for me in any respect. I respect his recreation. I feel in that place, he was the perfect participant obtainable… I wasn’t offended in any respect.”
Damian Lillard on if the Blazers drafting Scoot Henderson was a dealbreaker.pic.twitter.com/A3EikEmczC
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 19, 2023
“That wasn’t a dealbreaker for me in any respect,” Lillard mentioned.
“I respect his recreation. I feel in that place, he was the perfect participant obtainable… I wasn’t offended in any respect.”
It will likely be attention-grabbing to see how this entire state of affairs finally seems.
Kay Adams 👀👀https://t.co/InCDok7uFK
— Sport 7 (@game7__) September 20, 2023
Usually talking, within the NBA, stars get what they need.
And if Lillard needs to play in Miami, the good cash continues to be on him being granted that want.
Nonetheless, the Warmth are presently enjoying hardball with the Blazers. Will that finally price them Lillard when it’s all mentioned and performed? Time will inform.
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