NBA: Bad news for Lillard, his trade to the Heat becomes more complex

Damian Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers on July 1, just one day after the opening of NBA free agency and less than two weeks after the 2023 NBA Draft. Immediately, the 33-year-old point guard made it known that he wanted to be traded to the Miami Heat. Nearly three months later, the superstar is still in Portland and seems far from seeing his wish come true.

With the opening of training camps around the NBA in early October, Blazers would have resumed commercial negotiations with Lillard hoping to get a deal done before camp. While many thought that an exchange sending Dame in Miami was inevitable, recent reports suggest that Blazers are willing to talk to any team other than Miami. In short and against all expectations, Portland refuses the advances of Heat. And this despite the fact that time is running out.

Damian Lillard names his favorite NBA player https://t.co/WbiLXOFNZg pic.twitter.com/vsWEhX4uHS

— le10sport (@le10sport) September 21, 2023

Discussions have not existed for more than two months

« Those talks intensified this week with Lillard. But there is still no trade imminent. So far, the only thing that hasn’t been part of these talks is the Miami Heat. But we know that in business negotiations, in conversations, that can change, in an instant with a single call. » declared the journalist Adrian Wojnarowski on ESPN. For his part, Chris Haynes of TNT et Bleacher Reportcloser to Lillard than any reporter in the league, appeared on a podcast this week and also said Portland refuses to talk to Miami. Haynes conceded that the last time the two sides spoke was during Summer League.

A turnaround still possible?

Things can change quickly as stated Wojnarowski. Damian Lillard should not lose hope of joining Miami, especially since there is a scenario where the leader could still request a transfer to Heat even if it is sent elsewhere by Portland, according to information from Barry Jackson et Anthony Chiang of Miami Herald. As a reminder, at 33 years old, Lillard has four years and $216 million left on his contract.