Damian Lillard wants to play in Miami ‘period’: agent

NBA

By Dylan Svoboda

July 6, 2023 | 7:57pm

Damian Lillard is seemingly trying to force his way to the Miami Heat. 

Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, is telling prospective trade partners that the star point guard only will be satisfied with South Beach as his next destination, according to The Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.

“I do what I should for my client,” Goodwin told Jackson. “Some teams I did call. Other teams have called me. It’s a respectful relationship with most teams. Truthfully, he wants to play in Miami. Period.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski also reported that Goodwin “has been calling prospective trade partners and warning against trading for his client” and “telling organizations outside of Miami that trading for Lillard is trading for an unhappy player.”

The Trail Blazers, though, aren’t just going to send him to his preferred destination, according to Wojnarowski. 

Wojnarowski reported that Portland only will move Lillard “for only the deepest return of assets available,” which may not necessarily be a trade with the Heat. 

Blazers brass is reportedly “not interested” in Tyler Herro, who is thought to be the key piece of any Heat trade for Lillard.

Wojnarowski reported earlier this week that Portland is prioritizing “deals that would bring them back young players and draft assets,” which Miami doesn’t have a ton of. 

Despite years of playoff disappointments, Lillard had maintained a desire to stay in Portland, the only team he has played for over 11 NBA seasons, until his July 1 trade request. 

The franchise held onto the No. 3 overall selection in the 2023 NBA Draft and picked point guard Scoot Henderson rather than bring in another star next to Lillard. 

Lillard has four years and potentially about $216 million remaining on his deal, which he signed last July.