Damian Lillard Next Team Odds: Dame Time in South Beach or Bust

Damian Lillard's loyalty finally ran out. The 7-time All-Star, who averaged a career high 32.2 points in 58 games last season, asked for a trade just after the start of free agency. 

Lillard long wanted to stick it out and win a title in Portland, though, now he's finally come to terms with the Blazers rebuild. Lillard will be 33 this upcoming season, he knows even Dame Time eventually runs out. 

Lillard reportedly will only go to the Miami Heat (he mentioned in a recent interview that he's close with Bam Adebayo). His agent has reportedly told other teams that they shouldn't bother trading for Lillard. However, Lillard lacks a no-trade clause and the Blazers are fielding calls from every team interested.

Bookies.com veteran oddsmaker Adam Thompson has used his resources of NBA contacts developed over 20 years covering the league to create his hypothetical  on where Lillard plays for the 2023-24 season. 

Damian Lillard 2023-24 Team Odds

Potential Landing Spots For Damian Lillard

How did we get here? Let's review what ESPN insider Brian Windhorst said after the Blazers used the No. 3 pick on Scoot Henderson, rather than trading it for a veteran star (as Lillard wanted).

“Portland isn’t admitting that, but the rest of the league knows it, and they’re preparing their offers for what happens over the next 24 to 72 hours with how Lillard might react to them going forward and making the (pick for Henderson),” Windhorst said after the NBA Draft.  

That statement proved to be spot on. Dame initially said he was cool letting free agency play out, met with the Blazers' brass ... then requested a trade a few days later.

So what now?

The Miami Heat continually seek to add another star to take the pressure off Jimmy Butler and Dame made it clear it's his preferred trade destination, citing his close relationship with Bam Adebayo. Would Miami trade away key assets for Lillard? It proved it can be a contender just as it is, though Dame would clearly be a huge backcourt upgrade. 

Miami has reportedly increased its interest after failing to land Bradley Beal from the Wizards. Beal was traded to the Phoenix Suns instead. 

But there is a snag when it comes to the Heat. Any offer would likely include SG Tyler Herro, who is owed $100 million but whom the Blazers reportedly have no interest in acquiring. That means it would likely take a third team for Lillard to end up in Miami. Heat execs reportedly "chuckled" when it was implied that Bam Adebayo could be included in a deal for Lillard. That won't be happening. 

Other teams can likely make better, less complicated offers. With four years left on Lillard's contract, this is a franchise-defining moment for the Blazers, and they want the best possible deal for the team. 

But, Lillard has expressed his intent to get to Miami. While he doesn't have a no-trade clause, no team wants to mortgage its future on a disgruntled star player. 

Now, Lillard is pulling tricks to ensure he ends up in Miami and only Miami. His agent has told management he has no interest in playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, among others. That obviously makes moving Lillard tougher on the Blazers, if they so choose to honor is request. 

That said, they don't have to, and the Sixers and Nets especially make compelling destinations. 

The 76ers are seeking a new ball-dominant point guard now that James Harden has asked for a trade.  Philly is in win-now mode. Reigning MVP Joel Embiid has his own player option to mull in three years. Reports are the Sixers could land Dame if they include emerging PG Tyrese Maxey, however, they are apparently reluctant to do so. The Nets shipped Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant away in an effort to start anew. Now they have the pieces and draft capital to compete, as well as make a huge offer to Portland. 

NBA insider Chris Haynes name-dropped the New Orleans Pelicans and Minnesota Timberwolves as possible Dame destinations. Rumors surrounding Lillard and the Pelicans gained traction prior to the NBA Draft. That rumor was regarding a mega-deal also involving Zion Williamson. It's possible those embers haven't entirely burned up. 

The Wolves just inked blossoming star SG Anthony Edwards to a max deal and they may be moving on from veteran PG Mike Conley Jr. Minnesota could pursue its own Big Three with Edwards, Lillard and Karl-Anthony Towns. 

The Toronto Raptors figure to be an Eastern Conference team that could use a new face of the franchise. They figure to have the projected cap space to make a move without other significant moves around it, while Pascal Siakam that could get moved. If the Blazers don't care about Lillard's feelings, Toronto may have the best trade pieces to offer. 

The New York Knicks attempted to go big in acquiring Donovan Mitchell before the Cleveland Cavaliers upped their offer. The Knicks instead acquired Jalen Brunson to play PG and that’s worked well. 

But Dame is another level. When it comes to trading assets, nobody can match the Knicks right now in terms of player and picks packaging. Playing in a massive New York market may entice Lillard, who has been in Portland his entire career. 

The San Antonio Spurs have cash to spend, a cornerstone in rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama and a Hall of Fame coach hitting the sunset of his career. Lillard could be a key piece to speeding up the process. The Spurs have young, talented pieces to move. 

The Boston Celtics haven't inked Jaylen Brown to a max extension yet, so he is a possible dangle, though Lillard has expressed that he doesn't want to get sent to Beantown or the Los Angeles Clippers. They're both likely out. 

Meanwhile, the Field includes teams that may love to add a player like Dame, but Portland may be less inclined to deal to them. That's the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, for starters. 

The Blazers, themselves, are now relegated to The Field. It appears Dame Time in Portland has run out.