Damian Lillard trade talks expected to pick up as camp nears
By Wes Goldberg
Though there’s been little dialogue between the Miami Heat and Portland Trail Blazers about a Damian Lillard trade, talks could pick up in the coming weeks, according to a report.
The Blazers have not been in a rush to trade Lillard since the star guard asked for a trade to the Heat on July 1. Portland GM Joe Cronin has been reluctant to engage Miami in trade conversations, and said during a media session at Las Vegas Summer League that if a trade “takes months, it takes months.”
It’s been nearly two months since Lillard’s trade request. Sources told the Miami Herald’s Anthony Chiang, “As of late last week, the Trail Blazers have been reluctant to engage the Heat in serious trade conversations.”
But training camps across the NBA are set to begin Oct. 3, which could motivate Portland to find a deal and avoid a potentially uncomfortable situation when Lillard and the Blazers are expected to report. Per Chiang:
"The expectation from those around this situation is that trade talks could pick up as the start of camp inches closer. And if the Heat is the only team extending a serious offer for Lillard, then the Trail Blazers may need to at least engage the Heat on some health trade discussions."
The Heat’s offer is expected to include Tyler Herro, first-round picks and the needed salary of either Kyle Lowry or Duncan Robinson. The Heat could also include a young player such as June’s first-round pick Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Nikola Jovic.
