The seven-time All-Star requested a trade from the Trail Blazers in July, and yet he remains on the team with the start of the 2023-24 season now less than a month away.
It’s no secret that the Heat are at the top of Lillard’s wish list. Will he get what he wants?
The Sporting News is tracking the biggest rumors surrounding Lillard and his trade request below.
Rumor: The Raptors have convinced “numerous teams around the league” that they have a genuine interest in trading for Lillard. However, Lillard is believed to be “so resistant to the idea of becoming a Raptor,” making it uncertain if Toronto will go all-in on the seven-time All-Star.
With the 2023-24 season on the horizon, the Trail Blazers have “increased conversations with rival front offices” about possible Lillard trades.
The Raptors are now considered to be “one of, if not the most viable threats to land Lillard outside of the Heat.” Toronto has made it clear that Scottie Barnes is the franchise’s focal point and Pascal Siakam wouldn’t likely be included in a Lillard trade, making Gradey Dick the possible centerpiece.
Two teams that could factor into larger deals are the Suns and Jazz. The Trail Blazers have had interest in Suns center Deandre Ayton in the past while the Jazz could be interested in Heat guard Tyler Herro.
Rumor: The Trail Blazers are “certainly behaving like a team that wants to get a deal done” before training camp, but no deal is imminent. The Heat have not been a part of recent talks, though that could change quickly.
Rumor: Lillard’s wish of being traded to the Heat has been made clear, but there’s “another Eastern Conference team” that has an interest in him. Trading for him without his blessing would be “very, very risky.
The deal is expected to see Tyler Herro going to a third team and includes pick swaps, second-round picks, expiring contracts and young players going to the Trail Blazers.
The NBA released a memo to all 30 teams regarding the way that Lillard and his agent, Aaron Goodwin, have gone about the superstar’s trade request.
The memo served as a warning to Lillard (and other stars who may want to be traded in the future) that penalties can be handed out if a player or agent suggests that the player will “not fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade.”
