There is only one team interested in Damian Lillard, according to reports. In other words, the standoff between Portland and Miami just got serious.
Damian Lillard wants out of Portland. But he doesn't intend to play for just any team. Lillard is fixated on playing in Miami. Damian Lillard's Miami campaign got so serious that his agent, Aaron Goodwin, reportedly discouraged non-Heat teams from even trading for Lillard.
Damian Lillard stuck in middle of Portland/Miami standoff
ESPN's Brian Windhorst says Miami is the only team interested in Damian Lillard. "As I look across the league and have conversations with executives and agents, I can't identify another team that is seriously making an offer for Damian Lillard at this point. My belief is that the Heat can't either."
In Damian Lillard's case, he got precisely what he asked for. The lack of interest from other teams, however, could ultimately be his downfall.
Further explaining why Miami and Portland are in a deadlock, Windhorst argued, "If their offer is the only one on the table, it is, therefore, the best offer on the table." In other words, if there are no other offers out there, there is no reason for the Blazers to take the Heat's offer, nor should the Heat improve its offer. So, Lillard is caught in the middle of a franchise staring contest.
With training camp just under two months away, Miami could become desperate and their push for Lillard may grow more urgent. With Gabe Vincent and Max Strus gone, the Heat already enter this season with an entirely different roster. If they want to be contenders again, they'll have to make some moves. Pairing Damian Lillard with Jimmy Butler and Bam? Yeah, that'll do it!
According to Shams, the framework around a potential deal would involve three or four first-round picks going to Portland, expiring contracts, at least one young player, and Tyler Herro being re-routed to a third team, as well as possibly pick swaps and second-round picks.
While he plans to honor Damian Lillard's request for a trade, Trail Blazers GM Joe Cronin is in no rush to make any deals. Team officials have told other teams that "they'll move Lillard for only the deepest return of assets available." Essentially Cronin is betting the market over Miami. And, you can probably see how that doesn't really align with Damian Lillard's Miami or bust campaign.
As of now, neither side has made any progress, and the literal million-dollar game of chicken continues.
