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Portland GM opens up about timeline of Damian Lillard trade

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 7/10/23

Fans waiting to see where Damian Lillard gets traded might have to wait a while for an answer.

Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said, in regard to a trade, “if it takes months, it takes months.”

Blazers GM Joe Cronin tells reporters on a Damian Lillard trade: "If it takes months, it takes months."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 10, 2023

That’s terrible news for everyone wanting this saga to end but the right move for Portland. The Trail Blazers should absolutely hold out for a better offer than what Miami can give away in a trade.

As much as Lillard wants to play for the Heat, plenty of teams could see Lillard as the missing piece on a championship roster while offering more attractive packages.

Teams such as the 76ers, Celtics or Knicks would be justified in moving pieces to land Lillard as they go all-in on a title, like the Raptors did in 2019 when trading for Kawhi Leonard.

Miami should remain the favorite to land Lillard, however. The Heat likely need to involve a third team to get it done and Portland’s patience in completing a trade gives Miami time to find a willing partner.

If it takes months, then so be it. That’s much more preferable to the Heat than another team swooping in and giving the Trail Blazers a better offer. If that happens, Lillard could still be traded in a matter of days.

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