Getty Image / Nic Antaya
The Miami Heat entered this year’s NBA offseason focused on just one thing.
They needed another star after making deep playoff runs in 3 of the last 4 seasons, but falling short of a ring.
They even knew exactly who the star they wanted was. They were going to make a run at adding Damian Lillard.
Early in the offseason, it wasn’t clear if that was even a real option.
The Portland Trail Blazers were going to try and build a contender around Lillard by dealing the 3rd overall pick for a star of their own.
That didn’t work out and Lillard ended up requesting a trade a couple of weeks ago.
Despite that trade request and the fact that there was already a team looking to trade for Lillard, he remains a member of the Blazers.
There have recently been reports that the Blazers could actually try to hold on to Lillard for now and then try to get a better offer for him at the trade deadline.
Based on a recent report, that could end up being the path they take.
According to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson, the Blazers have been unmotivated to engage with the Heat to get a deal done.
As of midweek, Portland had been unmotivated to engage with Heat or try to get this done. Maybe they hope this plays out like Durant last summer & they cajole him to start season with team. If so, then it's in Dame's hands, whether he reports to camp,makes public comment etc https://t.co/CCZOZBYRuV
— Barry Jackson (@flasportsbuzz) July 14, 2023
Jackson compared the situation to the Kevin Durant situation from a year ago. The Nets ended up not trading Durant during the offseason and then got a haul for him at the trade deadline from the Suns.
There’s one big difference between the Durant situation and what is happening with Lillard right now.
Durant was only with the Nets for a few years. Lillard has spent all of his 11-year career with the Portland Trail Blazers.
In that time, he has become one of the biggest stars in the organizations history and led them to the playoffs 8 times all while the Blazers failed to build a team around him that could truly contend in the West.
Damian Lillard has earned the chance to go to a contender for the first time in his career and the Blazers shouldn’t make him wait for an offer that may never come.