Damian Lillard (33), who requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers (hereinafter referred to as Portland), expressed his feelings.
Lillard appeared on the media Underdog Fantasy's "IT IS WAT IT TALK" on the 19th and talked about his decision to request a trade.
"I would retire in Portland if it was a perfect world, but I don't feel the same way as Portland anymore," he said.
"Portland is now showing me that he doesn't want the same thing. The rules they want are not the world I want to live in," he said. This is interpreted as Lillard's request for a trade because of his lukewarm transfer market attitude along with the rebuilding policy he wants from his team.
Many believe Lillard's request for a trade from Portland this summer is a foregone conclusion. Some argue that he has had to do so years ago. Even local fans in Portland know that the team is starting to revamp its squad and Lillard wants a championship ring.
Discussions about the Lillard trade are burning again as many NBA teams return from vacation ahead of training camp and prepare for the upcoming season opener. It was also reported that an anonymous Eastern Conference team would participate in the recruitment of Lillard.
The price Portland wants in the trade is the price the Brooklyn Nets got in the Kevin Durant trade a year ago. Or, we are considering the amount of spending Utah Jazz paid by sending Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers as Lillard's value.
However, demand for Lillard, which has a salary cap of $216M that is fully guaranteed for four years, is not very high, and only the Miami Heat are coming out as an open suitor. Against this backdrop, Portland general manager Joe Cronin is not happy with Miami's package. Miami reportedly negotiated with two first-round picks and a package centered on Tyler Hiro. In response, Cronin is looking for a triangular trade partner, hoping Miami will make additional offers.
It's clear why Miami wants Lillard. Miami, which missed last season's NBA championship trophy in front of its eyes, needs a presence to ease Jimmy Butler's handling burden. Therefore, they want to recruit Lillard before or immediately after the start of training camp to work with Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Portland wants to make a new game with the era of '2023 NBA Draft No. 3' Scot Henderson. Therefore, if Lillard participates in the club's training camp, he may face a complicated traffic control procedure.
It is expected that there will be a lot of news about Lillard over the next few weeks. Many expectations are high on whether Lillard, Portland and Miami can each achieve their desired goals.