Is it Possible Lillard Does Not Get Traded

Photo by Sam Forencich

On July 1, superstar point guard Damian Lillard requested a trade from the Trail Blazers after 11 years with the team. The reason behind his trade request is that he wants a real chance to compete for a championship, and the Trail Blazers do not fit that mold since they are rebuilding. Not only has he requested a trade, but he has specifically requested to be traded to the Miami Heat. It has been a month since this news broke, there has been no trade, and talks have stalled between the two sides. We have seen superstars before request a trade out of their respective teams and be dealt with months later. However, this could be one of those times that it doesn’t happen. Something about this situation seems different than all the other times it has happened, and there are important factors to consider.

For a trade between the Heat and the Trail Blazers to transpire, both sides have to come out with valuable assets for their teams. While one side has much to offer, the other is lacking in assets. For the Trail Blazers to trade away Lillard, a seven-time All-Star and a player who has been the face of their franchise for the past decade, they would need a plethora of draft picks and some young players they can build around. The issue is that the Heat have a lot of veterans on their roster and not much young talent other than Tyler Herro to sell to the Trail Blazers, which is most likely why the trade talks have stalled. Other teams have been hesitant to contact the Trail Blazers about a trade for Lillard seeing as he has his sights set on Miami. This is another factor that could lead to Lillard staying in Portland, seeing as the Trail Blazers are only having trade talks with the Heat.

Photo by Kevork Djansezian

As time passes and the season gets closer, so does training camp. It could be possible for Lillard to show up to training camp if he is not traded by then, given how loyal he has been to the franchise and if he wants to collect his money. If that is the case, then it could be possible that the two sides put all the drama behind them and move on. Then again, there could be a trade later in the season. All in all, it would not be far from realistic if Lillard remains in Portland since he and the organization have gone through just about everything together over the past decade. So, why can’t Lillard stay at least one more season?