Damian Lillard trade rumors: Insider says “mystery” Eastern Conference team has entered sweepstakes for wantaway Blazers star

An unnamed Eastern Conference organization has reportedly entered the pursuit of Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard.

Despite the Miami Heat being frontrunners to acquire superstar guard Damian Lillard, the Portland Trail Blazers have not ruled out attempting to trade him to another organization.

Lillard has emphasized playing for the Heat, but Portland continues to explore options.

ESPN’s Marc Spears reported there is a darkhorse Eastern Conference team that could enter.

vI’m kind of hearing rumors about another Eastern Conference team that I’m not gonna throw out there just yet,

Spears said on an appearance on NBA Today.

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NBA fans are frustrated at Spears for not revealing the team, which has led to much speculation.

Some believe this is a bluff on Portland’s part to force Miami into raising their package.

Others have speculated the New York Knicks and Orlando Magic as potential suitors.

The Knicks could offer a superior package to the Heat because forward RJ Barrett, Evan Fournier, and multiple first-round picks trumps anything the Heat can offer.

Orlando is also a rising team with a young core that offers similar value.

The Magic are in the market for a veteran star to pair alongside former No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero.

Regardless, the Heat still remain in the driver’s seat.

We’re approaching three months (seriously) since Damian Lillard’s trade request went public on July 1, and as of this writing, he’s still a Portland Trail Blazer.

In recent days, however, chatter around his potential move to the Miami Heat seems to be rekindled.

But first! Let’s get a few contenders (or potential contenders) out of the way that probably aren’t in the mix.

Boston Celtics

Boston’s best trade assets are Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The former seems like one of the few players in the league who might actually be untouchable.

The latter just signed an extension and isn’t eligible to be traded until July.

Cleveland Cavaliers

All of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ most important players are in their early to mid-20s.

Perhaps the highest-upside guy on the entire roster, Darius Garland, happens to play Damian Lillard’s position.

Atlanta Hawks

They have a young point guard in Trae Young who’ll probably make several more All-Star teams.

He’s playing next to a combo guard in Dejounte Murray who’s actually younger than Donovan Mitchell.

Brooklyn Nets

The Brooklyn Nets just excised themselves from their last attempt at a star-led shortcut to a championship.

They traded James Harden for a distressed asset (Ben Simmons) during the 2021-22 season, and they moved Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving a year later.

Toronto Raptors

Portland will certainly be interested in getting as many draft picks and as much young talent as possible for Lillard.

The Toronto Raptors owe a first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs in 2024, but other than that, they control the rest of their future firsts.

Some pretty strong signals have been sent regarding Lillard’s preference to go to Miami, but Toronto may have some 2018-19-inspired confidence it can convince him to stay after getting him into the organization.

Philadelphia 76ers

Lillard may be the main character of this NBA summer, but James Harden’s name is probably right next to his on the marquee.

Harden threw out his own trade request in July, and he actually one-upped Lillard by eventually calling Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey a “liar” at a public appearance.

Lillard would get the opportunity to play with an all-time great center in Joel Embiid and could make Philadelphia a legitimate contender for the first time since Jimmy Butler was there.

Portland would get an expiring contract that would bring all the same flexibility Siakam’s would.

Philadelphia has firsts outgoing in 2025 and 2027, it can send some draft consideration to the Blazers too.

There are a couple problems that almost put the Sixers in the “Probably Not These Teams” slide, though.

First, some other team will almost certainly be able to come over the top with more draft picks than Philadelphia can offer.

Second, Tyrese Maxey should probably be in the same camp as Garland and Young.

Maxey is one of the game’s most exciting slashers and outside shooters. He’s 22 years old, and if Portland insists on him being included, the 76ers should hang up the phone.

Milwaukee Bucks

In terms of draft picks, the Milwaukee Bucks are more tapped out than any other team detailed here.

They don’t control their own first-round pick till 2028.

That alone could rule them out of this chase.

Their best offer would probably include Jrue Holiday, MarJon Beauchamp, first-round pick swaps in 2028 and 2030 and a first-round pick in 2029, which isn’t terrible.

New York Knicks

They might be the best bet if anyone outside Miami wins the Dame Sweepstakes.

They’re seemingly in the hunt for every star who becomes available.

Unlike Cleveland and Atlanta, New York may have the assets to get Lillard without giving up any of its current potential faces of the franchise.

The Knicks could emerge from a Lillard trade with a starting lineup that includes him, Jalen Brunson, Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson.

The Trail Blazers have talked about a Damian Lillard trade with an Eastern Conference team.

Point guard Damian Lillard finally requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers this offseason, and it is clear that he wants to compete for a championship next season.

His preferred destination is the Miami Heat, but it seems as though other teams might join the Lillard sweepstakes.

A recent report from NBA insider Marc Spears revealed that there is a mystery Eastern Conference team that has had trade talks with the Portland Trail Blazers about Damian Lillard.

The Blazers have been talking to several teams, I’m kind of hearing rumors about another Eastern Conference team that I’m not gonna throw out there just yet.

A number of teams could have a motive to get in the mix for Damian Lillard.

Last season, Damian Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game for the Trail Blazers, while shooting 37.1% from 3PT range.

He can be a difference-maker for any contending squad, and we’ll see what happens in the future.

Though Damian Lillard only wants to join the Miami Heat, it is clear that he might not get his wish.

In fact, the Trail Blazers believe that more teams will enter the mix for Lillard the longer they keep him, and it is clear that this situation might drag on for a long time.

At the end of the day, most fans want to see Damian Lillard traded to a team where he can truly compete for a championship.

He deserves to be sent to a place that allows him to do so, and we’ll see what happens in the future.

A ‘mystery Eastern Conference team’ has made overtures in the Damian Lillard trade sweepstakes.

The 33-year-old has four years left on his contract and cannot, under league rules, engage in a protracted holdout without risking serious financial losses.