Damian Lillard's cryptic post fuels trade speculation

Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports

Damian Lillard's cryptic Instagram post fuels trade speculation

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 6/23/23

The Portland Trail Blazers used the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft to select combo guard Scoot Henderson, further clouding Damian Lillard's standing within the organization. By most accounts, Portland's decision not to package the pick for win-now talent goes against the 32-year-old guard's best wishes.

Lillard has been adamant in his desire to compete for a championship immediately. One team that fits that bill are the reigning Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat, who Lillard has been linked to readily throughout the summer. The star point guard fueled those rumors after the draft, sharing himself at a party listening to the song "Miami" by Will Smith on his Instagram Live.

Damian Lillard listening to “Welcome to Miami” on IG live

(h/t @MGRADS) pic.twitter.com/lbX9dkHn8T
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) June 23, 2023

Even when Miami was in the running to acquire Bradley Beal, Lillard was believed to be the preferred target for Pat Riley and Heat front office. Bleacher Report's Chris Haynes also reported last weekend that the team is focused on the possibility of bringing Lillard to South Beach this offseason.

Miami’s focus is Portland superstar Damian Lillard with the genuine belief this could be the offseason the veteran guard seeks a change of scenery, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 18, 2023

Lillard recently showed interest in the Heat as a hypothetical trade destination when appearing on Brian Custer's "The Last Stand" podcast.

Dame to Miami pic.twitter.com/jlD801caqY
— Heat Nation (@HeatNationCom) June 7, 2023

Despite the rumblings surrounding Lillard's future, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin appears determined to keep Dame D.O.L.L.A in Portland for the long haul.

"I would love to see Dame retire a Trail Blazer. I have zero desire to trade him. I really hope this works out here," Cronin told reporters after the draft.

Despite missing the postseason in back-to-back years, Lillard remains one of the league's most-prolific offensive threats, averaging a career-high 32.3 points in 2022-23. During his 11 years with the Blazers, Lillard has advanced beyond the conference semifinals just once.

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