Shockwaves were sent throughout the league this morning when it was reported that longtime Trail Blazers All-NBA point guard Damian Lillard had requested a trade.
During an appearance on NBA Today, Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter video link) spoke with host Malika Andrews about the curious timing of the deal.
“His conversations with the organization, at least going back several days [to] that last Monday meeting in Portland, the expectation was he was going to give the organization a chance to get through free agency, and see how they could improve the team,” Woj said. “And on the opening night of free agency, they committed in Portland $160MM to Jerami Grant to return to the Blazers, certainly with Damian Lillard in mind. And now, less than 24 hours later, Lillard has asked for a trade.”
Sources tell Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report that Lillard’s agent Aaron Goodwin informed Joe Cronin of his client’s decision on Saturday morning.
Haynes is one of many reporters hearing that Lillard hopes to be dealt to Miami. Heat All-NBA swingman Jimmy Butler, fresh off leading the team to its second Finals appearance in four seasons, has told Miami personnel that Lillard is his No. 1 target for the club’s offseason, Haynes adds.
Miami is prepared to make an offer centered around young shooting guard Tyler Herro, according to Haynes, who says sharpshooter Duncan Robinson and draft picks could be used to build out the package. The team is hoping to avoid including affordable forward Caleb Martin in trade talks, per Haynes and Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald (via Twitter).
The Trail Blazers, for their part, may angle to unload the contract of veteran center Jusuf Nurkic in a deal.
“If you want to go into a full rebuild, Brooklyn has the better assets going forward,” a front office executive told Sean Deveney of Heavy Sports. “But Portland is pretty clear that they are not looking to be terrible next year. They will be young but they want to stay competitive. Dealing with Miami gets you there.”
Surrounding third overall lottery pick Scoot Henderson with a play-making scorer at the level of Herro and perhaps a marksman with the pedigree of Robinson could help the Trail Blazers at least remain somewhat competitive next season.
However, there have been rumblings that Portland may be “lukewarm” on Herro, so it’s possible a third team would have to get involved, as Jackson writes for The Miami Herald in an exploration of possible trade scenarios. Haynes (Twitter link) has indeed heard that any Lillard trade between the Blazers and Heat would probably have to include a third team, though he doesn’t specify whether that’s related to Portland’s feelings about Herro.
The Sixers are another club that hopes to get into the running for Lillard. However, Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link) is hearing that young combo guard Tyrese Maxey, who is still on his rookie scale contract, is currently off the table in any trade talks, even for Lillard. Fischer reiterates that rival teams, including Philadelphia, are convinced Lillard hopes to be moved to the Heat specifically.
Finally, Wojnarowski provides an important update on another key veteran whose future is affected by Lillard’s trade request, tweeting that today’s news won’t change Portland’s plans to re-sign Grant to the five-year, $160MM contract he and the team agreed to on Friday night.
That deal can’t be made official until July 6, so either side could back out of their verbal agreement before then. However, it would be a bad look for a club to rescind such a significant offer, and Grant seems unlikely to do anywhere near that well elsewhere on the free agent market.
Luke Adams contributed to this story.
Blazers are not interested in Heat draft picks
The third team is needed to offer good products
Salary would would work perfectly
Lowry, Herro and Martin for Lillard, Nurkic
Third team can offer 2 Firsts to help them out?
Rumors
Blazers don’t want Herro with max contract.
Third team that really likes Herro may offer a young player Blazers want and add a First.
What would a third team receive in return for “helping out” with two 1st rounders?
Spurs get Herro, Heat 2028 First and 2030 First (unprotected)
Blazers get Hawks 2024 First and Bulls 2025 First (Spurs have them)
So the Blazers get 2 1sts for Dame?
Everyone needs to know
Heat have no assets for Lillard, Blazers can’t demand much
Blazers GM has made it clear that they want a star in return
Goodness… Sean Deveaney loves Duncan Robinson way more than an insane Heat fanatic…
Clippers work but afraid one of George or Kawhi would be in the deal with a pick or two. Not sure it’s worth it.
Butler, fillers and 4 1st round picks nothing less for Dame
Agree, Lillard choosing his new team as if he didn’t just sign a super max, as if he has a no trade is ridiculous. Miami offers are pathetic.
I’ll pick one of the hundred reasons that would never work. Jimmy Butler is not on Portland’s timeline.
Why would Portland want Butler? He’s older than Dame.
Portland alr has a play-making scorer at Herro’s level. This guy right here… link to m.youtube.com
Mavs should see if Jeremi Grant wants to play for them. If he does then:
Three team trade:
Rockets get THJ, McGee and second round pick from Blazers. Rockets have $29M cap space.
Mavs get Jeremi Grant (Mavs would have $29M trade exception including $5M for Bertans trade.
Blazers get Mavs 2027 first round pick.
If needed can add in One of:Mavs 2023 24th pick, Hardy or Green. Both Hardy and Green valued around the league.
Blazers get something for Grant and they can go full rebuild and get more picks and young player. Rockets get THJ and second round pick and no long term commitments.
Seems more likely the rockets would help a Portland/Miami trade that gets Lillard to Miami
Raptors as a 3rd team.. move on from OG, who would be a good still pretty young piece to go to Portland
Whenever a suggested offer starts with a bad contract, it’s probably time to suggest the maker of it reexamine his thinking.
POR’s problem is Cronin. He has the potential to go down every rabbit hole and turn the thing into a fisaco. Simplify it. Forget dumping Nurkic, and tell MIA, and other suitors, to forget sending them any contracts that aren’t expiring or requested. Set the parameters of what needs to come back to you, generically if need be. It’s up to the suitors to have their offers meet them.
First time watching nba offseason? That’s not how it works
Lillard has no leverage.
LOL. You 2k’ers are funny. If the FO is competent, then that’s the ONLY way it works. Negotiating significant transactions of any kind actually; but that’s nothing you’ll ever need to worry about.
Portland starts the trade talks like that and they will find the table empty then you have an upset superstar on your team. Yea that’s really a great way to run a team. Stick to your day job because understanding basketball trades is a foreign language to you
OK, now that I know your former moniker, it all makes sense. Unfortunately, feeble mindedness is forever.
Agreed DXC. Nurkic needs to be included get him out of town he’s not on the timeline of Portland’s youth development. I have a feeling this is going to be at least a 4 team complicated deal.
Pay no mind to awesome O. That’s HardenWestbrookMVP reincarnated and still as undiplomatic as ever.
Agreed. If the deal is done right, then odds are it will be a multi-team transaction. If POR gets the right package of assets back, they’ll be plenty to shed Nurkic to a third team.
Miamis heats best offer
Tyler Herro + Duncan Robinson + Nikola Jovic + 2 first round draft picks
1 good young player, 1 player for salary matching, 2 first round draft picks and a bench scrub
That’s where Dame wants to go however will Portland be thinking of themselves and want a better return from another team. Dame has been so loyal to Portland and given his all. No doubt he will one day go into their hall of fame and possibly have his jersey retired but will Portland want what’s best for them or for him….
Sixers COULD offer
Tobias Harris, Tyrese Maxey and 2 first round picks
Tobias is/was a borderline all star and still a very good basketball player much better than Duncan Robinson. Tyrese I’d argue is also better than Tyler Herro. Straight away that package is better.
Toronto I think should consider making an offer.
Scottie Barnes, GTJ, Boucher, Precious Achiwura and a first round pick
Scottie gives them another foundational piece although with Scoot. Precious also another good young player and a first. Toronto then has a core of Dame OG Pascal and Poeltl. Good bench with Schroder Otto Thad. Would be like having Kawhi and that championship run all over again.
Speaking now as an unrealistic Sixers fan, I’d love to see that deal for Dame. Then try do James Harden and a first for PG13 via a sign and trade.
Dame Melton PG Tucker Embiid
Pat Bev Korkmaz House … …
I’d circle back to Montrez Harrell for bench scoring when Embiid is on the bench getting a rest. I’d try keep McDaniels having lost Niang, he’s the ideal 3 and D forward to have. Then just fill out with vet mins. Either way we would be set for a championship run the next 3 seasons or so
Heat get Lillard and Nassir Little
Orlando gets Simons
Portland gets Lowry, Herro, Gary Harris, Bol Bol, Cole Anthony, Orlando 2024 1st, Denver 2024 2nd, Memphis/Boston 2025 2nd, Milwaukee 2026 2nd, Heat 2024 1st (after Heat swaps 2025 and 2026 with OKC to open it up), Heat 2028 1st, Heat 2030 1st
Thought Philly could be a 3rd team for Lowry, but they signed Beverley. Toronto could be a spot for Lowry though
Still wouldnt make the trade if I’m the Heat or Portland, to be honest. I would try to move Simons until I 1000% cant. They still need to trade him if they move Lillard, if they’re getting Herro or Cam Thomas, or someone similar on return
Trade Lillard and Grant to Minnesota for Mike Conley (flip or waive) A Edwards Kyle Anderson and J McDaniel
Stop with the crazy trades
Trade Sharpe if needed to go to Minnesota. Then trade Nurkic and picks for Wiseman.
If Portland needs a star back, there’s no chance he’s going to the Heat. From Portlands perspective they need a star guard to take pressure off Scoot as he develops.
For the Heat, there’s really no team that’s going to trade their superstar and get back a package that is headlined by Tyler Hero. He’s a good rotation player, but not much else. Miami simply doesn’t have the assets, short of including Butler (no chance) or Lillard sitting and not playing and refusing to suit up for any team not Miami (doesn’t seem the type).
Chicago makes the most sense, packaging Lavine or Derozan with young assets like Patrick Williams and Dalen Terry.
Bam, Hero and picks for Dame and Nurk.
If Portland is lukewarm on Herro (understandable if keeping Simons and Sharpe along with Scoot) I can see a lot of teams being interested as the third wheel in trade. Herro is super talented, has some size, only 24, and he’s been in one of the best systems in the league. The contract doesn’t even look bad compared to other guards with his skillset
As a Knicks fan I’d love Herro if the price was right. Perfect fit. RJ is a 3, Knicks need more secondary playmaking and shooting. Big upgrade on Quick. hope they’re at least having conversations
He’s a role player at best with a massive contract. Nobody wants that contract. Even if there was a team that would take him into their cap, that team isn’t putting up ANY assets to get Lillard to Miami.
There’s no path for a trade to Miami. They just don’t have the piecea.
A role player who averaged 20-5-4 the last two seasons? And capable of more? Some people appear to be massively underrating Herro
also, I was wrong, he just turned 23 in January
Lillard for Conley, A Edwards and J McDaniel. Then trade Grant to Houston for Smith jr and Porter jr. Trade Nurkic and picks for Wiseman. Trade Conley for expiring contract. rebuild is done