By Since the beginning of the NBA summer, several trade rumours have surrounded the standout player for the Trail Blazers, Damian Lillard.
The Heat, who allegedly want to trade for the seven-time All-Star after losing out on Bradley Beal, who was traded from the Wizards to the Suns on Sunday, are one of the clubs showing interest in Lillard.
According to reports, Miami’s recruitment presentation to the 32-year-old, whose future in Portland is still up in the air, focused heavily on Jimmy Butler.
However, Shams Charania of The Athletic stated on Monday during an interview on the Pat McAfee Show that Lillard is willing to stay with the Blazers assuming they find a way to upgrade their squad.
“Damian Lillard has left it up to Portland. He wants to be there. He wants the team to get better,” said Charania.
“They have the No. 3 pick in the draft, the No. 23 pick in the draft, they have Anfernee Simons. What can you go get in the marketplace to make this team better? And if nothing comes about, I do think Damian Lillard would have to look very hard at his future in Portland.”
According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Portland would be open to trading Simons for the No. 3 selection to add talent that can help the team win now while maintaining Lillard as its star player.
However, Charania suggests that a trade might become more feasible if the Blazers are unable to find sufficient value in a pre-draft transaction and emphasised that the Heat would be at the top of the list of potential recipients.
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