While the Trail Blazers and Heat could rekindle their Damian Lillard trade discussions at some point, each team has an understanding about where the other stands, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald, who says there’s a “fundamental disagreement” between the two clubs about what a fair deal for Lillard looks like.
As Chiang explains, the reason why there has only been limited communication between Portland and Miami in the last few weeks is because a deal sending Lillard to the Heat only seems possible if one of the two teams decides to deviate from its current plan — in other words, the Blazers would have to accept much less than they want to for Lillard, or the Heat would have to offer more than they currently intend to.
A league source who spoke last week to Portland’s front office was told by the Blazers that a trade sending Lillard to Miami is “unlikely,” according to Chiang. We may find out soon whether that’s true or if it’s simply posturing.
Here’s more on Lillard:
- Amid rumors that the Raptors appear to be the frontrunners to land Lillard, Sean Highkin of Rose Garden Report (Twitter link) is the latest reporter to say that he’s hearing more chatter about Toronto than any other suitor as of late, though he remains wary of how seriously to take that chatter.
- Whatever a Raptors offer for Lillard looks like, it won’t include 2022 Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes, league sources tell Kurt Helin of NBC Sports. Toronto’s front office loves Barnes and hasn’t made him available via trade, according to Helin, who adds, “It’s not that Toronto took him off the table — Barnes was never in the same room as the table.”
- In his latest update on Lillard, Marc J. Spears of ESPN identified the Bucks, Celtics, Sixers, and Bulls as teams besides Toronto and Miami that have shown interest in Lillard since he asked to be moved. While most of those clubs have been mentioned as potential suitors this offseason, we haven’t heard much about Milwaukee. Based on their current cap situation and trade restrictions, the Bucks would almost certainly have to include Jrue Holiday in any offer for Lillard.
Lavine, P Williams, Colby White, Lonzo and a couple 1st for Lillard and Little. Then trade lavine and Lonzo for something. Or the Heat trade Jovic, Jaime Jaquez, Orlando Robinson, future considerations and 3 1st to Portland, Hero and Lowry to Hornets, Hornets send Hayward and Rozier to the Heat, a pick to Portland
Honestly don’t think Portland is under any pressure at all here. They aren’t intending to win anything this year, as their prized prospect, Scoot, is only a rookie and just getting his feet wet. They could trade Dame anytime, in season or after, and it won’t much matter. He isn’t the pouting type and although he might not play at 100%, or at all, it won’t make a difference (in fact, another top 5 pick would be just what the doctor ordered). This isn’t a Nets/Harden type situation. More of a Pels/AD situation, where New Orleans got exactly what it wanted in the end.
Totally agree. The fact that he has several expensive years left on his contract kills any leverage he has. They could hold him all year and get another lottery pick, then trade him next offseason if they wanted to.
Agree,if Lillard really wants out he needs to expand his want out to list. The heat and their lack of assets don’t fit Portlands criteria and never have.
Lillard likes portland. He is fine if he stays or goes to heat. That simple… blazers will trade him when they get their kings ransom….
Of course they don’t need to, but if there are fair trades why not make the move now? Sounds like Toronto is offering a fair trade for your guy.
Agreed Toronto can offer MUCH more than Miami could offer, so can most of league. They’re not really asking a “kings ransom” just what he’s worth….. it’s annoying to hear.
For context, just a couple years ago Brooklyn “underpaid” Allen(now AllStar), Lavert(thought could be a AS) filler and 7x unprotected 1st and swaps! Pretty much losing any draft control until 2028 for Harden doing the exact same thing as is dame now. (24,25,26,27 all still owned by Hou via outright or swap)
Hell a year ago he then got traded for Simmons Curry Drummond and 2 picks which was also an apparent “raw” deal(but the theory was Simmons was just sitting and still an all nba level guy). Still much better than a Miami offer RN.
Even the two Jazz trades last year were for players who were, at the time lower value than what Dame should be valued at, he should be same value as the KD trade(Bridges, Cam, Crowder & 5x 1sts, 1 being swap). Agreed the market ain’t there ATM, but he’s still worth a lot more than Miami can afford without offering Bam. Before all this I wouldn’t have been shocked if the deal was Bam and Herro for Dame.
Eh, that’s pretty seriously overvaluing Dame. With that contract, much of his value goes out the window. And he’s just not as good a player as KD.
Is it though? It’s not a Russ/Wall mega headache. And for the 3rd highest scorer in the league, all nba player last year I would say he’s paid what he’s worth.
And agreed KD is a better player but his injury history puts his value in the same ball park as Dame. And again I go back to Gobert/Mitchell neither are better players & mitchell went for 5x picks & swaps plus Lauri, Sexton (argubly their best scorer pre injury) and a lotto pick in Agbaji. Then Gobert went for Walker Kessler, Beasley and 5x picks again.
Look at it this way if the shoe was on the other foot, would Miami accept Ant Simons some unproven non lotto rooks and a couple picks max? You can’t say Jimmy is a better player overall(but play off Jimmy is a beast) Either way Miami hang up instantly.
Also, not sure why we’re not talking about pressure on Miami. Their 3rd best player is waking up every morning to read about how his team is desperately searching for a team to take him, so they can acquire a different 3rd best player. If it doesn’t happen, guess what, they’ve got an unhappy guy on their hands, too.
Dame would be Miamis debatable best player with Jimmy(1A/1B debate). But I do agree it’s not fair on him. Even if they don’t get dame I think Herro will be moved this season for someone they think will be an improvement.
If you figure both sides of the floor, I think 30 out of 30 GM’s would take either Bam or Jimmy over Dame.
Is it any more fair for the 7th, 10th or 12th best guy who knows he COULD be moved, basically just about anywhere, in a potential Lillard deal?
No way Bam is a better player than Dame RN. He’s a good player, AllD all star level player yea. But he isn’t the level dame is. He’s a walk HOF, 75 player coming off one of his best years. Jimmy I would debate based on his POFF performances with Heat, but not Bam, he’s a good 20-10 good D 2-way C. But he isn’t elite at either or great enough at both to be classed that level. He’s a great #2. or 3 if they get Dame. If a GM got told take Bam or Dame for free, only GS & Mavs don’t take Dame right now because he’s much, much better.
I can’t wait for this to be done and over with.
So let’s say he sticks around going into the season, POR does well, is Dame dying on the “trade me” hill? Does he say nevermind? Does POR say “sorry Bud, we’re shipping you out anyway”?
If Lillard goes to Toronto it should include Barnes, Dick and a big like OG or Siakim.
Barnes is worth way more than Dame straight up.
Defensively, I agree.
Barnes is also super cheap. There’s really no comparison. You have to figure in contracts.
I just read an article proposing that the Celtics trade four 1st rounders and Jordan Walsh for Damian Lillard. How could that transaction happen financially?
It can’t. Boston would have to include a bunch of good rotation players to make a salary match. Or else one of their stars. It basically cannot happen. Actually, Porzingis for Dame works straight up, but Portland ain’t doing that.
I can’t believe Brogdon wasn’t included in that proposal. I thought it was some kind of law that he be mentioned in every trade idea (even if the Celtics weren’t part of it).
Who loses in this trade:
Heat get Dame and Devonte Graham
Mavs get Herro and Nurkic
Rockets get THJ
Spurs get Lowry, LAL 26 SRP (via Heat) and 2 FRP Swaps (via Heat)
Blazers get 2 FRPs via Heat, 1 FRP via Dallas, 1 FRP via Houston, KPJ (cut), Kleber, Bullock, Lively, Josh Green, and Jovic
I like this. I would switch out Graham with someone else to Portland. Alot to this trade but it looks good. I wish people would respond to my ideas instead of haters
Heat*
I like my trade better above
MKE makes zero sense for a Dame trade. With Lopez, Middleton and Jrue their ages already are a concern. And subtracting Jrue in a deal for Lillard won’t change that.
Then there’s the money aspect. What it would take to come close to a salary match would create an even bigger roster crunch. Theres also the pending Giannis extension to consider. Is 2 guys each making around $60 mil a good idea? I think not.
And they have very little draft capital to use.