A Damian Lillard trade request became an increasing possibility as the Portland Trail Blazers navigated the 2023 NBA draft and the early hours of free agency.
The possibility has become a reality.
The star guard has asked for a trade from Portland after 11 seasons, a person with knowledge of the request confirmed to USA TODAY Sports. The person requested anonymity because he was not allowed to speak publicly about the request.
The Trail Blazers are expected to work with Lillard on finding a new team, and the Miami Heat are expected to be one of the teams that will make a strong push to acquire the seven-time All-NBA performer. The Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals, and it was clear they needed scoring and playmaking help for Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Lillard can provide that.
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Turning 33 years old on July 15, Lillard remains one of the premier players in the league. He was named third-team All-NBA in 2022-23 after averaging a career highs in points (32.2) and 3-pointers made (4.2) and matching a career-high in field-goal percentage (46.3%). He also shot 37.1% on 3-pointers, averaged 7.3 assists and 4.8 rebounds and shot 91.4% on free throws.
Lillard met with Blazers general manager Joe Cronin on Monday to discuss the direction of the team. Lillard has been loyal to the team that drafted him with the No. 6 pick in the 2012 NBA draft. At this stage of his career, Lillard wants to contend for a championship, and while he preferred the Trail Blazers make moves so he can do it with them, it doesn’t appear that’s the direction Portland is going.
Even though they reached a five-year, $160 million deal with forward Jerami Grant, Portland also selected promising guard Scoot Henderson (the third pick), Kris Murray (No. 23) and Rayan Rupert (No. 43 but with first-round potential) in last week’s draft, and they have not made movement to trade those picks or young players Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe.
While trading Lillard would mark the end of era, they have several players who can be part of a youth movement
The Blazers were 33-49 last season and 27-55 in 2021-22, missing the playoffs both seasons. They made the playoffs from 2014-2021, reaching the Western Conference finals just once in 2019.
Early in free agency, the Heat lost Gabe Vincent to the Los Angeles Lakers and Max Strus to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and were not active in reaching many deals. In addition to remaining players on Miami’s roster (minus Butler and Adebayo), the Heat have multiple first-round picks to offer (except their 2025 first-round pick) to offer Portland. The Brooklyn Nets have a stash of future first-round picks from Phoenix, Dallas and Philadelphia and could also make a move for Lillard.
