The staring contest between the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers over Damian Lillard is ongoing.
The Heat want Lillard, and vice versa. But the Blazers are not willing to sacrifice what leverage they have, and general manager Joe Cronin has said publicly that a trade could “take months.”
According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Portland has so far been unwilling to work with Miami on a trade package.
“As of midweek, Portland had been unmotivated to engage with Heat or try to get this done,” Jackson tweeted Friday morning. “Maybe they hope this plays out like Durant last summer & they cajole him to start season with team. If so, then it’s in Dame’s hands, whether he reports to camp, makes public comment etc.”
As of midweek, Portland had been unmotivated to engage with Heat or try to get this done. Maybe they hope this plays out like Durant last summer & they cajole him to start season with team. If so, then it's in Dame's hands, whether he reports to camp,makes public comment etc https://t.co/CCZOZBYRuV
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 14, 2023
Jackson’s update seems to contradict what Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian said on his “Blazers Focused” podcast this week. Fentress indicated that a possible trade could be “pretty close.”
“If [Portland] can come out of this with four first-round picks, at least one, if not two, young talents, and then salary filler, that should get it done,” Fentress said. “I’m told that right now, Miam has three firsts, Herro, filler, and maybe a young player already—like willing to go with that.”
Lillard, who turns 33 tomorrow, is coming off his seventh All-Star appearance with the Blazers in 2022-23.
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