Tại sao Damian Lillard yêu cầu chuyển nhượng từ Trail Blazers? Siêu sao tìm đội cạnh tranh trong quá trình tái thiết Portland

Damian Lillard’s recent trade request from the Portland Trail Blazers has sent shockwaves throughout the NBA world. Chris Haynes of Turner Sports reported on Saturday, July 1st that Lillard has requested a trade, marking the end of his historic 11-year tenure with the franchise and sparking speculation about his future in Portland. Despite being 33 years old, Lillard is having the best statistical season of his career. Through 58 games, he is averaging 32.2 points per game and a career-high 7.3 assists per game. However, even with Lillard’s brilliance, Portland has missed the playoffs for the second consecutive year with a record of 33-49. While the article has been in effect for some time, what prompted Lillard to make the decision to request a trade as he did?

SEE MORE: NBA world reacts to Damian Lillard’s trade request

Why did Damian Lillard request a trade from the Trail Blazers? Leading up to his request, Lillard is said to have been in regular contact with the Portland front office about the organization’s direction. As he enters his 12th NBA season, multiple reports indicate that Lillard is not interested in being part of a rebuilding process, something the Blazers signaled with a group of young talents, including Anfernee Simons, Shaedon Sharpe, and Scoot Henderson, whom they selected third overall in the 2023 NBA Draft. Joining the free-agent frenzy, Lillard is believed to want Portland to make moves to retain Jerami Grant while bringing in another veteran who can help the team win immediately. And while the Blazers are expected to re-sign Grant to a 5-year, $160 million deal, they have yet to do anything else to help the team contend. As part of his desire to compete immediately, there are reports that the Heat are at the top of Lillard’s preferred destinations list. Other reports indicate that Lillard’s sights are set on the Heat rather than other teams.

Damian Lillard’s contract details
Lillard is under contract through at least the 2025-26 season. He has a player option for the 2026-27 season, where he could earn over $63 million at the age of 36.

Season Age Salary
2023-24 33 $45,640,084
2024-25 34 $48,787,676
2025-26 35 $58,545,211
2026-27 36 $63,228,828

Trade destinations for Damian Lillard (NBAE via Getty Images)
In Haynes’ initial report, he listed Miami and Brooklyn as Lillard’s preferred destinations, while some reports suggest Lillard is solely focused on joining the Heat. Reports indicate that both Lillard and the Blazers want a trade partner from the Eastern Conference, but the Clippers and Spurs are two Western Conference teams that could put together a trade package that might force both sides to reconsider.

Miami Heat
The reigning Eastern Conference champions, Miami is undoubtedly the team closest to contention among the interested candidates. Lillard has previously praised Bam Adebayo as well as Jimmy Butler, and the three of them would form a formidable trio. Miami has quietly stockpiled assets, and its front office may have something up its sleeve after Max Strus and Gabe Vincent departed via free agency. According to Haynes, the trade package “is being prepared to revolve around Tyler Herro, with the possibility of Duncan Robinson and picks.”

Brooklyn Nets
Brooklyn may not seem as likely a candidate, but it has the internal assets of Cameron Johnson and Mikal Bridges, whom Lillard is said to have a strong relationship with. The Nets have accumulated draft capital after trading for Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving and could put together a solid package for Portland.

LA Clippers
LA is in search of a point guard and has the necessary assets to make a deal that would bring Lillard alongside Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. This would go against Portland reluctantly strengthening its Western Conference rivals but should not be overlooked.

San Antonio Spurs
The dark horse, Lillard is said to have “deep respect” for the Spurs organization. And while San Antonio is also in a rebuild, it is centered around the future generation of Victor Wembanyama, with the team having the potential to become a contender at some point during Lillard’s contract.

In conclusion, Damian Lillard’s trade request has set the stage for a potential blockbuster trade in the NBA. With multiple teams vying for his services, Lillard’s decision will shape the landscape of the league and determine the future of the Portland Trail Blazers.