NBA Rumors: Insider warns Heat that Damian Lillard trade is no certainty

The Miami Heat are Damian Lillard’s preferred destination, but they are by no means guaranteed to land the star point guard. 

Damian Lillard officially requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday, leaving the franchise high and dry after spending $160 million to re-sign Jerami Grant. Now, the Blazers pivot toward a future built around No. 3 pick Scoot Henderson — and whatever comes back in a potential Lillard trade.

Lillard has made his wishes clear: he wants to play for the Miami Heat, with Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Caleb Martin at his side. That doesn’t mean Portland will grant his wish.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Blazers GM Joe Cronin is looking for a star-level return for Lillard, and he will be more than willing to look beyond Miami to acquire it.

Miami Heat aren’t the only potential trade destination for Damian Lillard

The Heat don’t have a particularly strong package to offer for Lillard. Any deal would likely involve Miami’s two available first-round picks (2028, 2030), a collection of young players (Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr.), and at least Duncan Robinson and Tyler Herro. Portland would presumably reroute Herro to a third team to acquire more assets, as his fit next to Henderson and Anfernee Simons in the backcourt is suspect.

That’s not much for a star of Lillard’s caliber. Dame averaged career-best numbers last season, dropping 32.2 points and 7.3 assists on 64.5 TS%. Numbers are inflated league-wide nowadays, but even adjusting for inflation, Lillard had one of the most impressive offensive campaigns in recent memory.

Even at 32 years old with four years left on his contract, Lillard should return premium value on the trade market. He’s the kind of player who can take a team from making the playoffs to winning the championship. Miami isn’t the only team in search of that final piece to the puzzle.

The Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, and Utah Jazz have all been reported as teams who will take interest in Lillard (subscription required). Of the teams listed, Utah probably has the best collection of trade assets after cashing out on Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell last summer.

Lillard would certainly form a formidable offensive duo with Lauri Markkanen, plus the Jazz have one of the league’s brightest offensive coaches in Will Hardy. Utah feels far-fetched at first glance — especially when Lillard is very arduously working to get to one specific big-market destination — but he doesn’t have a no-trade clause like Bradley Beal. He ultimately doesn’t get to hand-pick his next home, and the Blazers need to ace this trade to set up their franchise for the long run.

The Heat are undeniable frontrunners because of Lillard’s very specific demands and the nature of stardom in today’s league. Players have more leverage than ever before, even when under long-term team control. But, the Blazers will look elsewhere and the Heat’s package will pale in comparison to other teams’ godfather offers. So, don’t be shocked if Lillard’s next home is not South Beach.