Blazers star Damian Lillard’s request to be traded to the Miami Heat has yet to be met after more than a month. That has led to frustration from both Heat and Blazers fans as both sides wait for a deal to get done.
Lillard himself has become increasingly vocal as he himself is left waiting for a deal to materialize. One recent example saw him respond to a Blazers fan who disagreed with an NBA writer about a potential trade. Take a look.
Just dumb. https://t.co/U9RAMErPvV
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) August 28, 2023
Lillard needs just two words to dismantle a Blazers fan’s hot take.
Lillard clearly took issue with the assertion that Portland’s general manager, Joe Cronin, is there to serve the team, and more specifically, the fans. That’s not exactly true. GMs work for team owners, and while their job is to improve the roster, they don’t necessarily have free reign and usually don’t make moves because fans want them to. Portland is obviously looking to maximize the return for their best player, and that means they are taking a much slower approach than most are accustomed to.
After all, most stars who demand a trade often get moved fairly soon after doing so, especially in the offseason when it is easier to make deals. Thus far, the Heat have failed to meet the Blazers’ asking price, leading to a stalemate. While the Blazers are playing hardball, they don’t appear to have as much leverage in the trade talks as it appears. No other team has made a play for Lillard, and he has been emphatic that he only wants to be in Miami.
On the other hand, he still has four years remaining on his contract, ensuring that whoever trades for him can retain him. That is a double-edged sword, however, since he will be making a staggering $63.2 million when he is 36 years old.
Only good or up-and-coming teams have a need for him, and many of them may be scared off from acquiring him because Lillard may later demand another trade. Then there is Portland, who may not want to enter training camp with a disgruntled star who will inevitably be moved.
Ultimately, while there appears to be some frustration on all sides, the odds of a trade happening still seem high. Whether it will be a trade with Miami remains to be seen, but the longer the standoff goes on, the more vocal Lillard is sure to become.