Lillard requests trade from Blazers, reportedly wants to join Heat
Damian Lillard has requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers, and the team is expected to work with its longtime superstar to find a deal, ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne report.
Lillard specifically asked to be traded the Miami Heat in his communication with the Blazers, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania.
Miami is prepared to offer a package centered around Tyler Herro along with possibly Duncan Robinson and draft picks, sources told TNT's Chris Haynes. Haynes adds the Heat would likely need to involve a third team in order to make a deal.
The Los Angeles Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers are also interested in acquiring Lillard, according to Wojnarowski.
Lillard is also said to have deep respect for the San Antonio Spurs, sources told Shelburne.
His reported desire to leave comes just days after Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said he was "committed to building" around the franchise icon.
Lillard apparently contemplated asking for a trade when he met with Cronin on June 26 but wanted to give the front office a chance to improve the team in free agency, Shelburne reports.
"We have been clear that we want Dame here but he notified us today he wants out and he’d prefer to play someplace else. What has not changed for us is that we’re committed to winning, and we are going to do what’s best for the team in pursuit of that goal," said Cronin after Lillard's reported trade request, according to Wojnarowski.
Portland selected Lillard with the sixth overall pick in 2012. He's spent his entire 11-year career with the Blazers.
Lillard is coming off one of his strongest seasons. He averaged a career-high 32.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 4.8 boards across 58 appearances during the 2022-23 campaign.
The 32-year-old is under contract for four more seasons. The seven-time All-NBA selection is Portland's all-time leader in multiple categories, including points and 3-point field goals. Only Terry Porter has tallied more assists in a Blazers uniform.
Despite numerous trade rumors, the club held onto its third overall selection in this year's draft and took G League Ignite point guard Scoot Henderson.
Portland opened free agency by reportedly re-signing Jerami Grant to a five-year, $160-million contract.