Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard has asked to be traded but with specific destinations in mind, the talks are moving on very slowly.
At this point, everyone knows Lillard wants to leave Portland to contend for a championship but where exactly will he end up?
Lillard’s Miami-or-nothing approach is slowing down negotiations, with Portland determined to get the best return.
Lillard to Miami?
What pieces can Miami offer the Trail Blazers that do not include Bam Adebayo? the answer is probably nothing. A situation that opens up other opportunities that Lillard is clearly reluctant to explore.
The 32-year-old was in the form of his life, posting All-NBA-caliber performances before his season was shut down.
He’s also under contract for four more seasons at over $200million, an expensive gamble for any owner and front office, if he isn’t happy.
If Lillard was perhaps, amiable to the idea of other scenarios (not named Miami Heat) things would move along quicker.
The Heat are clearly unable to offer the Blazers similar returns to what Brooklyn got for Kevin Durant. Certainly nothing close to the incredible return Utah received when Rudy Gobert left for Minnesota.
While Tyler Herro is full of talent and is just 23 years old, his deficiencies on defense are glaring. He also has a four-year, $120 million contract that begins this season.
The Blazers are already packed on the perimeter with Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and the excellent Anfernee Simons. It would make little sense to start a new era in Portland with another crowded backcourt of small guards with questionable defensive skills.
Enter – Brooklyn Nets
Among the teams that Lillard cited as a favorable next option in a recent interview was Brooklyn. The Nets have the draft assets from February’s Durant deal with Phoenix to outbid Miami’s best offer by a wide margin.
While the star may not be fully sold on Brooklyn, that is probably his most realistic option.
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