Trail Blazers want to drain Heat's assets in Damian Lillard trade
Heading into training camp, seven-time All-Star Damian Lillard is still a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. The veteran guard's trade request hasn't yielded the level of interest anyone expected.
Right now, it seems like the Miami Heat are the only team with a desire to engage Portland in trade talks. Lillard's previous comments have clearly had the desired effect.
In a recent episode of "The Hoop Collective," ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Portland wants Miami to "scrounge" for every little asset it can muster. Portland is looking at the Phoenix Suns' trade package for Kevin Durant as inspiration.
"What the Blazers want, if they're dealing with one team, if it is Miami or nothing, they want what the Nets got from the Suns [for Kevin Durant], which is the Suns literally scrounging," Windhorst said. "... They want the Heat to literally scrounge into every nook and cranny and produce everything they possibly can. The Heat don't feel a need to do that."
Miami's problem is that it currently lacks tradable assets. Finding a package that would appease Portland without including a third team is proving to be an insurmountable task. After a summer-long pursuit, it appears both teams are locked in a staring contest. Portland is refusing to blink.
Lillard is clearly worth it. The veteran guard is among the most talented players in the NBA, but with such a significant amount of time spent on a fruitless pursuit, you've got to wonder how much longer Miami continues to persist with this chase. After all, the new season is about to begin, and that is where Pat Riley's and Erik Spoelstra's focus should be.
Portland wants an astronomical package for Lillard. Miami believes the price will come down as the season progresses. Until then, nothing is going to change unless Lillard softens his stance and names some other teams he would be willing to play for. Right now, nobody is winning, even if the Blazers believe they are.
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