NBA Rumors: 8 Bold predictions for the second half of 2023 offseason

Damian Lillard will be traded to the Miami Heat

It’s officially been more than two weeks since Damian Lillard requested a trade away from the Portland Trail Blazers and to the Miami Heat. There hasn’t been much reported progress on a potential trade between the Blazers and Heat, and it appears that the two sides are continuing to play this game of chicken as we head into the dog days of the offseason. However, assuming Lillard doesn’t change his mind, something will eventually change.

The Heat and/or Blazers will eventually come to the realization that it’s finally time to get something done. When push comes to shove, I do believe that the Blazers will eventually do Lillard right. Similarly, I believe when it’s time, the Heat is going to give almost exactly what Portland is asking for in a deal.

There has to be a middle ground that is met by the Heat and Blazers; it’s only right. And the closer we get to the start of training camp, the closer the pressure will be on both teams to get a deal done.

I predict that just before the start of training camp, if not before, the Heat and Blazers will finalize a blockbuster deal centered around Lillard.