It has been weeks since Damian Lillard requested a trade away from the Portland Trail Blazers after staying loyal to the team for over ten years. And as per the latest reports, the player wants a trade to the Miami Heat where he will play alongside Jimmy Butler. However, the Trail Blazers haven’t been so compliant with him. This has only increased the ambiguity and speculations around Dame’s future.
Meanwhile, a 2x NBA champion’s coach adds to the rumors. His latest move has set off a flurry of rumors and speculations, with fans eagerly connecting the dots between the coach’s move and its possible implications for Lillard’s future.
A 2x NBA champion coach lands in Portland
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Damian Lillard’s trade request, which ends his 12-season association with the Portland Trail Blazers, has captured the attention of NBA fans in 2023. The 32-year-old has made it apparent that his ideal team is the Miami Heat. Furthermore, he has continuously stated his desire to play for an NBA championship.
According to Shams Charania’s reports, Lillard informed other interested teams, including the Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics, that he has no interest in joining them. However, Portland seems unfazed by the trade capital offered by Miami Heat.
Tyler Herro has been identified as the Heat’s top priority in any prospective trade. However, the Blazers believe that acquiring Herro would lead to an excess in their backcourt because they recently selected Scoot Henderson as the third overall choice and have witnessed excellent performances from Shaedon Sharpe. To add to this, Lillard doesn’t have a no-trade clause.
This clause would have given him more control over his final destination. Ultimately, Lillard’s future lies in the Blazers’ hands.?However, the respect he has gained from the Trail Blazers team as their key player in team history may influence their choice.
And as for his request to be traded to Miami Heat, it seemed to be going nowhere. That is, until Miami Heat’s head coach, Erik Spoelstra, was seen in the Portland International Airport. Guess who else might be in Portland now?
On the plane from Vegas to Portland with Spoelstra. Hope he’s not here to pick up Dame lol pic.twitter.com/EF8LzcrDWm
— #GRAPHIN (@pdxGRAPHIN) July 12, 2023
If you guessed Dame, you got it right.
Could he be at the airport to meet Dame? What do the fans think?
NBA world reacts to spotting Spoelestra at the airport
As fans came across this tweet, it sent the mill of rumors spinning once again. Many took to Twitter to share their thoughts on it.
A fan tweeted, “Spo knows what he?s doing “
Spo knows what he’s doing 💀 https://t.co/WxoxV5miBP
— gaskingang (@iggaskingang) July 12, 2023
Other fans focused on him probably heading to Miami to meet Dame.
They were meeting with Dame tonight it’s over he’s going to Miami lol
— Eddie (@eportillo728) July 12, 2023
Another fan reacted to this Twitter update with a hilarious meme.
Got me like this pic.twitter.com/hNYVVe5Cv2
— Toe (@toe45_) July 12, 2023
According to a fan, this is how the conversation would have gone. That is, if they ever ended up meeting each other.
“Dame, I really believe we can find you some minutes and a spot in the rotation”:
— Ducks. (@Goducks2003) July 12, 2023
And one fan simply answers the question in the original Tweet, saying he most definitely is!
Of course he is
— Hobby Tag Facilitator (@PCOregonDucks2) July 12, 2023
A fan commented on how the OP even beat Adrian Wojnarowski while covering the news!
You know he is lol. You just beat WOJ to the news. 🤣🤣
— Papa Thebirdmaann (@Mwerlinger11) July 12, 2023
However, a few fans pointed out that the coach is in fact from Portland.
He’s from Portland
— Steve Powers (@PaperProdigy503) July 12, 2023
Adding further to the theory that he is from Portland, a fan comments his family is too.
He's family from Portland I think
— 🔥GSH_27🏀 (@gsheverything) July 12, 2023
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And yet another fan suspects he’s probably headed for a family reunion.
Spo is from Portland and still has family in the area.
More then likely visiting family.
— Publius Corculum (@Publius0718) July 12, 2023
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Would you like to see Dame on the Miami Heat’s roster? Let us know in the comments below!
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