The Damian Lillard bidding war is heating up.
After news broke that superstar Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard requested a trade out of Portland, many teams have been linked to the All-NBAer in trade talks including the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Clippers among others — but Lillard has his sights set on the Miami Heat exclusively according to ESPN’s Marc Spears.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski said that the Blazers, while they want to be amenable to the future Hall of Famer’s request, are also looking for “deals that would bring them back young players and draft assets.”
Miami is certainly lacking in that department compared to other teams, but there are reportedly teams lining up to be part of a three-team trade that could help Portland get what it wants.
“Damian Lillard wants to play for Miami and only Miami, I have been continually told since Saturday,” Spears wrote in an insider roundtable. “Certainly, it’s easier said than done. I’m told that while Portland isn’t happy with potential packages, there are over five teams interested in a potential multi-team trade that could get it done.
“It won’t be today or tomorrow or perhaps the next day, but I believe it will ultimately end up with Lillard going to Miami. While Lillard does not have a no-trade clause, it doesn’t make sense to trade for a future Hall of Famer who doesn’t want to be there.”
Portland is reportedly “not interested” in Heat guard Tyler Herro, whom many believed to be the key piece of any Miami trade for Lillard.
Despite Herro being only 23 and coming off a season in which he averaged 20 points per game for a second straight year, the fit would be redundant considering Portland has guard Anfernee Simons, who they re-signed last season to a four-year, $100 million extension and has put up comparable production.
Teams such as the San Antonio Spurs have also been linked to Portland as a team willing to help facilitate a three-team trade.
The Spurs not only have the salary cap space necessary to take on contracts of players like Herro and Portland center Jusuf Nurkic, but also have a litany of young players such as guard Tre Jones and forward Keldon Johnson that could go to Portland.
While Lillard has made his preferred destination perfectly clear, it may take some time before he can pack his swimsuits for South Beach.
