Damian Lillard Trade Rumors: Heat Only Team 'Seriously Making an Offer' to Blazers

Damian Lillard is reportedly angling for a move to the Miami Heat, and it appears the Portland Trail Blazers may have no choice but to send him to South Beach.

ESPN's Brian Windhorst reported Tuesday on NBA Today that the Heat are the only team "seriously making an offer" to the Trail Blazers for Lillard's services:

"As I look across the league and have conversations with executives and agents, I can't identify another team that is seriously making an offer for Dame Lillard at this point, and so my belief is that the Heat can't either. And so while people can look at what the Heat's offer might be and scoff at it, if their offer is the only one on the table it therefore is the best one on the table."

Lillard reportedly requested a trade from the Trail Blazers last month and his preference is to be traded to the Heat.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported on July 6th that Lillard's agent was calling teams and warning them against trading for his client, telling franchises "outside of Miami that trading for Lillard is trading for an unhappy player."

The NBA on Friday issued a memo to all 30 teams stating that it met with Lillard and his agent about past reports indicating that he would only suit up for the Heat and both confirmed to the league that he would play for any team that acquires him, according to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports.

The league also warned Lillard and his agent against making further comments suggesting he would only play for the Heat. If they do, the point guard could be subject to league discipline.

Despite the memo, Wojnarowski reported Monday on NBA Today that the Heat remain the only team to have made an offer for Lillard but Portland "keeps hoping something better is going to come along."

The Heat's initial offer to the Trail Blazers included 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro, three first-round picks, salary filler and a young player, according to Aaron Fentress of The Oregonian.

While the Trail Blazers reportedly aren't interested in trading for Herro, "multiple teams" are interested in sending Miami a first-round pick in exchange for the guard to help facilitate a Lillard to Miami deal, per The Athletic and Stadium's Shams Charania.

Charania reported Sunday that the Heat are now "preparing a trade package around three to four first round draft picks, potential draft swaps, as well as second round picks, a young player potentially" in exchange for Lillard.

Lillard has four-years and more than $175 million remaining on his current contract, but a deal for the veteran would be well worth it for the Heat as they aim to build a title contender around Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.