?Don?t Give a Damn What You Think,? as Damian Lillard Gets Linked to 3 NBA Teams, Veteran Analyst Gives a Stinging Reality Check to the NBA World

Portland Trail Blazers and their centerpiece Damian Lillard have not come anywhere near the post-season. However, Lillard has now become a hot topic in the hoops world, amid the NBA Finals frenzy. For, Dame Lillard has recently said that he wouldn?t mind joining either the Miami Heat or the Brooklyn Nets, in the event of a trade. Besides, a ‘Dame to Knicks’ rumor is also doing rounds on the web. Meanwhile, a renowned analyst, however, gave the NBA world a reality check about Damian Lillard and his potential trade.

As Damian Lillard’s trade rumors gathered momentum, every other basketball enthusiast seems to have an opinion on Dame’s future. That has historically been the case too. But do these opinions even matter?

Analyst gives a reality check as Damian Lillard’s trade rumors take center stage

In his recent appearance on Showtime’s?The Last Stand podcast, Damian Lillard himself gave NBA circles a perspective about his future. Given his warm equation with Heat’s Bam Adebayo, Lillard is happy to catch a Miami flight. Neither does he mind joining the Nets as he got his pal Mikal Bridges there. Although Dame has not spoken of a move to the Knicks, certain fans have not overruled the chances of New York landing him.

On the latest episode of ESPN’s Keshawn, JWill & Max podcast, the hosts dissected the rumors around Damian Lillard. Host Jay Williams was quick to point out how Damian Lillard’s trade prospects have panned out historically. “You are gonna hear everybody pop off and tell Dame what the hell he should do. Dame don’t give a damn what you think. Dame isn’t gonna ask publicly for a trade. That’s not how this guy is built. It will need Portland to say, ‘we are moving in this direction, thank you for your services.’,” Jay Williams said.

Jay Williams also pointed out that this attitude makes Dame Dolla unique. Later on, co-host Max Kellerman spoke of Lillard’s prospects in Miami as the Heat is Lillard’s first preference.

What if Miami lands Damian Lillard?

Max Kellerman recalled how Damian Lillard spoke of his Miami wish during the interview with Brian Custer. As Kellerman rightly recalled, the 7x-NBA All-Star did not think twice before saying yes to Miami. Furthermore, Kellerman thinks that Lillard will make a good fit in Miami. Dame Dolla’s mentality, according to Kellerman, would perfectly sync with the ‘Heat culture’ upheld by Pat Riley, Erik Spoelstra, and Jimmy Butler.

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Perhaps Dame Dolla’s ability to call the shots, as pointed out by JWill, and his loyalty to a franchise might have prompted Kellerman to laud his mentality. Anyhow, this still remains a speculation as Lillard ‘doesn’t care about what others think.’ This might even go as one of the many teasings of Lillard and you may see him donning the Portland uniform next season.

WATCH THIS STORY: Damian Lillard drops a time bomb on his NBA future.