ESPN Panelists Weigh in on Damian Lillard Destination

The NBA is still buzzing about possible destinations forPortland Trail Blazersguard Damian Lillard after his trade request last weekend. TheMiami Heat是领跑者,due to Lillard’s reportedly-strong preference. Other franchises are nibbling at the corners of the discussion as well.

Todaya panel of ESPN writersran down the 2023NBA Free Agencyperiod so far. Predictably, they devoted plenty of space to the Lillard saga.

While Miami held the aces among the five experts, a couple of surprising details crept in.

Tim MacMahon suggested theUtah Jazzas a possible alternative destination:

The best bet is that Lillard will get his wish and wind up in Miami. But let’s discuss an intriguing sleeper: theUtah Jazz. If Danny Ainge decides to roll the dice, the Jazz can make the most attractive offer to the Trail Blazers, thanks to all the picks Utah accumulated over the past year in trades with the Timberwolves,湖人队andCleveland Cavaliers. Would it be worth it to add a 33-year-old superstar (who happened to play college ball in Utah atWeber State) to a core that includes 25-year-old All-Star forwardLauri Markkanenand All-Rookie center Walker Kessler?

Tim Bontemps advocated for theSixers:

ThePhiladelphia 76ers. I think this is a two-horse race that could easily see Lillard winding up in Miami. But with Philadelphia having the most attractive trade option on the board — rising star guardTyrese Maxey— I’ll bet on 76ers president of basketball operations Daryl Morey finding a way to land yet another star.

While Marc Spears not only doubled down on the Heat, he infinity-downed, adding in extra mustard:

Damian Lillard wants to play for Miami and only Miami, I have been continually told since Saturday. Certainly, it’s easier said than done. I’m told that while Portland isn’t happy with potential packages, there are over five teams interested in a potential multiteam trade that could get it done. It won’t be today or tomorrow or perhaps the next day, but I believe it will ultimately end up with Lillard going to Miami. While Lillard does not have a no-trade clause, it doesn’t make sense to trade for a future Hall of Famer who doesn’t want to be there.

We’ll have more on Lillard rumors and analysis as the situation evolves over the next few days.