Damian Lillard has made his demand clear: He wants the Portland Trail Blazers to trade him.
Portland has its own message for the rest of the NBA: We’re not giving away the seven-time All-Star cheap.
Portland general manager Joe Cronin said in a statement Saturday that the 32-year-old veteran informed the team he wants a trade.
“We have been clear that we want Dame here but he notified us today he wants out and he’d prefer to play someplace else,” Cronin said (via ESPN). “What has not changed for us is that we’re committed to winning, and we are going to do what’s best for the team in pursuit of that goal.”
While Andscape’s Marc J. Spears reported Lillard would prefer a deal with the Miami Heat, Cronin is apparently casting a much wider net. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, “Front offices talking to Portland today were left with the impression that (Cronin) is pursuing a star-level return package for Damian Lillard — and that Cronin plans to look well beyond the Miami Heat to find one.”
Who could, or would, be willing to make a deal for the high-scoring guard? A number of teams have been mentioned as possible destinations, including the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers, San Antonio Spurs, and Utah Jazz.
That’s a lot of possibilities, and NBA analysts, fans, and even Lillard’s teammates were busy speculating about his future Saturday.
Reporter: “How are you prepared to be able to handle [being the face of the franchise]?
Scoot Henderson: “I’m ready to embrace that.”
Scoot Henderson is ready to lead if Damian Lillard is traded 😤
(via @AaronJFentress)pic.twitter.com/lgWfXHzyKu
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) July 1, 2023
Nets are among the teams that have been contacted as a potential third team to acquire Tyler Herro in a Damian Lillard to Miami deal, per SNY sources. Yahoo earlier reported that Portland was looking for a third team to re-route Herro to in a potential Lillard deal.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 1, 2023
Boston should at least make the call.
— Ray Arsenault (@RayFroZn) July 1, 2023
Lillard on the Heat pic.twitter.com/6xlZXJOSML
— Kory Waldron (@Just_KWal) July 1, 2023
Lol, of course, the day Damian Lillard requests a trade from the Blazers Twitter has some new rule about how many posts you can see in a day if you're not verified.
Absolutely ridiculous 🤦♂️😂😂— TDSportsBetting (@TDSportsBetting) July 1, 2023
LILLARD TO HEAT 100% CONFIRMED
— Krypton Pro Betting (@kryptonprobett) July 1, 2023
Celtics should look into a sign and trade for J Brown. Sixers should try with Harden too.
— Joey Tringali (@Mighty_Jt_6) July 1, 2023
