Damian Lillard next team odds: Miami favored after Lillard's trade request
By Peter Dewey
It finally happened.
Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard requested a trade from the franchise on Saturday, allowing the Blazers to begin a rebuilding phase around No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson.
BREAKING NEWS: Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard has requested a trade this morning, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport. pic.twitter.com/Udi1h7OQyA
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2023
It’s interesting the timing of Lillard’s decision, as the Blazers gave Jerami Grant a new five-year, $160 million deal in free agency.
With Lillard requesting a trade, the Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers, Brooklyn Nets and others could be in the market for him. Both Miami and Philly have been linked to Lillard this offseason.
“The Sixers are not going to extend Tyrese Maxey this summer. Want to know why? Because they might trade him.”
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 30, 2023
- Brian Windhorst pic.twitter.com/qElb4WRtjh
I created hypothetical odds for Lillard’s next team, but where does he end up?
Hypothetical odds for Damian Lillard’s next team
- Miami Heat: -150
- Brooklyn Nets: +200
- Philadelphia 76ers: +450
- The Field: +450
Miami Heat: -150
Miami is the most logical spot for Lillard, who already stated that he’d like to play with Bam Adebayo.
The Portland Trail Blazers have been informed that Damian Lillard wants a trade specifically to the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. https://t.co/CE2lJVcuod
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2023
The Heat have the contracts (Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry) to make things work from a salary perspective, and the team let two players – Gabe Vincent and Max Strus – walk this offseason to potentially free up space to absorb Lillard’s deal without soaring past the luxury tax.
After making the NBA Finals last season, the Heat now have a chance to take this team to the next level by adding Dame.
Brooklyn Nets: +200
The Nets have a bunch of expiring deals and draft picks from the Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving trades that could entice the Blazers if they want to tear things down to the studs.
Miami and Brooklyn are preferred destinations, sources say. https://t.co/qHiA3ICDDb
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) July 1, 2023
Lillard would be in a tough spot in Brooklyn though, as the team lacks secondary stars around him that would make the situation much more similar to Portland than he’d probably like. Still, it is one of the team’s he apparently is willing to go to.
Philadelphia 76ers: +450
ESPN’s Brian Windhorst reported on Friday that the Sixers could be looking to trade for Lillard now that James Harden is expected to move on this offseason in a trade.
If that’s the case, Philly could attempt to work a three-team deal or use the assets it receives from a Harden trade to flip to the Blazers for Lillard.
The Philadelphia 76ers are not a preferred destination for Damian Lillard, sources tell Yahoo Sports. Miami and Brooklyn are the only teams on his list
— Vincent Goodwill (@VinceGoodwill) July 1, 2023
A Lillard-Joel Embiid pairing would be one of the best duos in the league, but it doesn’t seem like he wants to be there.