Damian Lillard’s Miami dream in distress as Trail Blazers make huge demand for superstar guard

Lillard requested for a trade after 11 seasons with the Portland Trail Blazers.

Damian Lillard’s Miami dream in distress as Trail Blazers make huge demand for superstar guard

Where will Damian Lillard end up? (Image Via Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

The Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard Damian Lillard sent shockwaves across the NBA this morning after requesting a trade from the organization that drafted him back in 2012. Lillard always spoke about loyalty and how it meant so much to him but now it looks like he really wants to win. After many frustrating years and the inability of the Blazers’ front office to surround Lillard with great talent, it comes as no surprise that he finally wants out.

According to Bleacher Report’s Chris Haynes, the Miami Heat are Lillard’s preferred destination. Playing alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would certainly make the Heat a strong contender for the NBA championship. However, Lillard’s dream of playing with the Heat is far from being a reality.

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Letting go of their franchise player would be very difficult for the Blazers, but it is something the front office and their General Manager Joe Cronin will have to navigate through.

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Cronin issued a statement after Lillard’s trade request, which was tweeted out by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

We have been clear that we want Dame here but he notified us today he wants out and he’d prefer to play someplace else. What has not changed for us is that we’re committed to winning, and we are going to do what’s best for the team in pursuit of that goal.
Joe Cronin

If Lillard were to go to Miami, the Heat would have to create a package centered around Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson in order to finally get their man. Although, Cronin might not be fully on board with that idea, as he wants the Blazers to receive a fair package in return for their 7-time All-Star.

What are Damian Lillard’s accomplishments with the Portland Trail Blazers?

In his 11-year stint with the Blazers, Lillard achieved the status of being an icon and the nickname ‘Dame Time’ for his ability to make big shots in clutch time. Some of his accomplishments include winning the Rookie of the Year award back in 2013, receiving 7 All-Star and 7 All-NBA selections, and becoming the only Trail Blazer in the team’s history to accomplish the feat.

Lillard scores a game-winning three-pointer over Paul George (Image Via Sam Forencich/Getty Images)
Lillard scores a game-winning three-pointer over Paul George (Image Via Sam Forencich/Getty Images)

He also won a gold medal as a member of Team USA in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. In October 2021, Lillard was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, making him one of only 11 current NBA players to be a part of the list, while also joining Bill Walton and Clyde Drexler as the other former Blazers on the list.

While Lillard has all but guaranteed himself a spot in the NBA Hall of Fame, the only thing that is elusive to him at this point is an NBA Championship, one that he is desperate to win wherever he goes.

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