2023-08-01 18:02:00
Damian Lillard wants to leave Portland. It’s no secret, and since the opening of the free agency, Dame DOLLA no longer hides her desire to leave the grayness of Oregon to join the sun of South Beach in Miami. The Heat’s interest is mutual, but the leader’s XXL contract and its duration mean that negotiations are tough. And while the Blazers do not seem in a hurry to give up their star, we would start to get annoyed on the side of the Heat. Miami doesn’t seem to have enough to satisfy its counterpart.. what could put an end to Lillard’s desires?
Lillard, the Heat and nothing else
Free agency was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. While he had agreed with his franchise for the arrival of a big name capable of coming to support him in his quest for the title, Lillard had a funny surprise not seeing .. anyone arrive. The cap Portland had under his belt? Sent in the huge contract of Straw Grant. Probably not what Lillard dreamed of.
Since then, he has clearly announced the color. He wants to leave. And for a specific destination. THE Heat de Miami. Lillard wants to win, Miami was very close last season, marriage is a dream on paper. Especially since the Heat, with Adebayo in the racket, Caleb Martin et Jimmy Butler on the wings, above all looking for a leader scorer able to accompany and relieve Jimmy B. What could be better than a player capable of slamming 32.2 points on average last season?
Others have tried their luck since the announcement of his desire to leave the North West United States. But the quest promises to be in vain, as the player’s agent reports: “I do what I have to do for my client. I called some teams. Others called me. It’s a respectful relationship with most franchises. In truth, he wants to play in Miami. Period.” Which has the merit of being quite clear.
Blazers master the game
The downside is that Lillard is not in control. Having signed an extension last year (122 million dollars over two years), the playmaker is therefore under contract with his franchise until 2027. Certainly, with 270 million dollars to raise over the next five years, he is not to be pitied. Yes but now, he is eager to leave his hometown to finally have a chance to get a ring.
Except now Portland has Lillard’s future in their hands and doesn’t have to rush. On the one hand, because very few teams can afford to recruit him in view of his emoluments. On the other hand, because he swears by one franchise: the Miami Heat. He wants find jimmy butler and last season’s finalists to give themselves a shot at the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
The equation is all the more complicated as the consideration offered by the Heat to Blazers does not seem to be satisfactory. Miami, which only has two draft rounds in the next three editions, will therefore have to try to get rid of some of its big salaries (Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson) in a deal with at least three teams. The Floridians will then have to find something to supplement their workforce already depopulated by the departures of Gabe Vincent, Victor Oladipoor Max Strus.
Moreover, Portland has total freedom on the subject. And may, in the event of a satisfactory offer, send Damian Lillard wherever it suits him. Although the latter told his agent that no other destination than South Florida interested him. What the NBA replied to him, calling him to order, to tell him that it is indeed his frankness that sets the conditions: “We have advised Goodwin and Lillard that any future comments, made privately to teams or in public, suggesting that Lillard will not fully perform the services under his player contract in the event of a trade, will subject Lillard to disciplinary action from from the NBA, the memo says. We have also informed the Players Association that any similar comments from players or their agents will be subject to disciplinary action in the future.“Which probably won’t matter much.
Damian Lillard may not be at the end of his troubles. While his desire to join the Heat continues to grow, his frankness seems to stall. She has the cards in hand and will not sell off her superstar. The soap opera is probably only at its beginning.
Heart bruised by the end of Rodgeur’s career, I rely on The Beard’s stepback. Nothing like an incandescent Velodrome to make me capsize with happiness
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