Following the Trail Blazers’ decision to keep the No. 3 pick in the 2023 NBA draft, all signs began pointing to Damian Lillard’s days in Portland likely being numbered.
Then, following a meeting between Lillard and Blazers general manager Joe Cronin, things became even more confusing. Cronin issued a statement that the two had a "great dialogue," per The Oregonian's Bill Oram, and Brian Windhorst said the 32-year-old guard "absolutely did not" request a trade on ESPN's Get Up.
Now, the Heat are left essentially twiddling their thumbs with free agency approaching after remaining steadfast in their plan to pursue Lillard via trade. But it appears that plan hasn’t changed, even with Lillard not looking to get out at this moment.
As the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reported, Lillard's decision to give the Blazers more time hasn't "dissuaded" the Heat.
According to multiple sources, the Heat has decided to wait patiently for Lillard to make a decision because they view him as a player worth waiting for.
It appears the Heat will keep their focus on a potential trade for Lillard, should the opportunity present itself. But barring something drastic happening, the likelihood of hearing much about the team in free agency otherwise looks unlikely.
