[Source: Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald](https://open.spotify.com/episode/28cwwIhISMgUr4CmfxZ3DK?si=Din217fJRbqs00oI8QqvGw&t=220&context=spotify%3Acollection%3Apodcasts%3Aepisodes)
> Someone even told me — and I thought this was interesting, but I don’t even know if I buy it 100% — but someone that has knowledge of what’s going on is convinced that Portland doesn’t even want to trade Damian Lillard at this point. It almost feels like they’re trying to find a way to change his mind or delay this where Damian will say “Well, I’ll just be part of this.”
by lopea182
38 Comments
Having followed a bunch of superstar trades over the last few years, this media playbook from the Blazers and Dame’s camp is classic.
>Promise to build contender around Dame
>Don’t
>Promise to trade the 3rd pick to get him help
>Don’t
>Dame requests trade
>Fuck around and force him to stay? Kinda fucked up tbh (just as an NBA fan not saying this like oh man he should have been traded to the heat for peanuts)
Edit: it’s crazy how salty Portland fans get when you call out their FO, just because I have a heat flair. I would be saying the same shit if he had requested a trade to any other team, what they did/are doing is fucked up when he’s one of your best players you’ve ever had.
this is the KD playbook from last summer. Unless Miami can give them what they want they probably not in a rush.
Edit: They are going to likely stink with or without Dame anyways and if for some reason they are good that means their rookie/young guys took a leap. So all good.
There’s no rush from their point of view if their goal is to get draft picks and cap relief. Neither of those two will be affected by a delay.
They just want miamis best offer and are willing to wait.
> someone that has knowledge of what’s going on is convinced that Portland doesn’t even want to trade Damian Lillard at this point.
no shit, this has been stated numerous times that portland has no interest in what miami has brought to the table right now.
> It almost feels like they’re trying to find a way to change his mind or delay this where Damian will say “Well, I’ll just be part of this.”
**”it almost feels like”** aka chiang or ‘anonymous someone’ have no idea what’s actually going on and are just speculating.
How unbiased is this source ? Lol.
>someone that has knowledge of what’s going on is convinced that Portland doesn’t even want to trade Damian Lillard at this point
Portland’s front office knows whether or not they want to trade Lillard, so the source “that has knowledge of what’s going on” and is “convinced” about Portland’s intentions is either Dame’s camp or the Heat.
If this ever becomes a movie, I hope George Constanza plays Dame
I mean he’s trying to force his way to one team and that one team doesn’t have what the blazers want, it’s only fair that they wait it out.
The trade would be done by now if Dame wasn’t trying to strong arm his way to Miami. He could be a Boston Celtic already or something. Miami has fuck all to offer in trade and everyone who isn’t a complete dumbfuck understands this.
I mean in fairness to Portland has Dame even considered that it’s still the best place for him to not have to worry about winning a ring?
Trying to be like Brooklyn with KD last summer–without the whole appeal of maybe being a contender
Having knowledge of the situation… basically at Heat reporter saying how they feel. Give me somebody more credible then a Heat reporter. I would believe it more if it was a Blazers reporter.
Someone that has knowledge of what’s going on
Fuck kinda journalism source is that. Sport media is such bull.
Are we just witnessing the Aaron Rodgers special NBA edition
Directly from the Miami Herald, sounds legit….. Anyone outside of Miami fanbase understands the offer on the table is trash. If Miami was serious a deal would’ve been done.
It’s better for both sides to just move on
I don’t know how you change his mind. Scoot and him are a terrible fit skill set wise and adding Simons in it is even worse. I get wanting to find better trades but a backcourt of Simons Scoot Lillard is extremely non sensical and fits poorly no matter how good each is individually.
Plus why would Dame change his mind to mentor his replacement?
ofc they don’t, the only way dame forces their hand even further is to not be his usual self and act out every day, talking to the media, ruins the lockroom vibe etc. That is not something he would do, but miami doesnt have a new owner coming in eager to spend money and make a noise right away, the level of Suns trade package for KD is not happening in this case no matter how long portland waited.
Good. Stand their ground and stop caving to these absurd trade demands after signing contract extensions
It’s crazy with how loyal Dame has been to the Heat that they won’t put forth their best possible package. Seems like the loyalty is only going one way.
Something no one seems to account for in all of this is the fact that if the Blazers make the playoffs next season, the Bulls get their first round pick.
[The Blazers owe the Bulls a Top-14 protected FRP](https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Future/Blazers.htm) for 2024.
Dame playing and playing well for the Blazers could result in them losing one of their best shots at another high FRP.
I believe the Blazers were actually trending to be a playoff team last season before the organization convinced Dame and Co. to sit to end the season to get a higher pick (presumably to help build a contender around Dame).
Good. These heat fans thinking they can get dame for Herro and a bunch of late 1st rounders can finally shut the hell up.
Damn Portland😂🤣😂
Blazers really don’t wanna do anything. Feels like the GM is scared to make any moves.
If we learned anything from the Ben Simmons trade, if you have a disgruntled star that wants out and they still have multiple years on their contract FOR THE LOVE OF GOD WAIT.
NBA landscape changes so fast, it’s not worth it to take a shit deal.
No shit, Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald, we’ve never wanted to trade him and still don’t. If he were to rescind his trade request then that’d be fine.
The plan going into the offseason was to get better with him on the roster.
>find a way
Could one of those ways be the 4 years left on his contract?
Portland FO about to send the Phantom Thieves into Dame’s palace to change his heart
He signed the contract. Make him play.
It’s exactly what they should do. Play or make him sit out. Don’t give Lillard any power.
Good that’ll quiet those annoying heat fans up. Hope Lillard stays there
Goofy ass Heat fans losing their minds that Portland is threatening to do what’s best for them is perfectly on-brand. Love to see it.
But I thought Miami fans told us the Blazers HAD to trade him to the Heat because that was their only option 🙄
Dame has been played a fool and it’s sickening. Homie has been saying what he wants to hear his entire career and the team has not came thru the entire time neither. Best part is they aka Portland ownership knew his propensity to be loyal is an asset that they can exploit for sales without worrying about him leaving.
Sorry blazers bros but fuck your ownership. Let’s go ahead and pretend we got one of the greatest players in franchise history(the one who lined your lazy asses pockets) with empty promises because we know he ain’t leaving.
Until now.
Is there a way the mods can ban Dame news from here until he’s actually traded? This is all just made up shit at this point any random mf on reddit could come out with “insider info” on the situation and it could get posted here.
I kinda wonder why he doesn’t give it a shot and see what it’s like with scoot. They can always trade him mid season. I take a lot of shit for being a Butler doubter but I’m not convinced the Heat win a championship with Dame and Jimmy much more than Dame and Scoot. If Jimmy’s bad games have their floor raised by Dame then sure, but Harden playing with Embiid didn’t raise the floor on HIS bad games so why would I assume it would here?
I ultimately don’t see either team getting passed Denver.