Damian Lillard Confirms Trade Request, 'Would Just Prefer Not to Speak' About Blazers

In his first interview since requesting a trade to the Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard isn't saying much.

"I can say that there was [a trade request] and I would just prefer not to speak on the Trail Blazers," Lillard told Marc J. Spears of Andscape.

The All-Star guard asked for a trade in July and has been adamant about his desire to play for the Heat. While Portland continues to explore the trade market, there has not been much movement in fulfilling Lillard's request.

Blazers general manager Joe Cronin told reporters he would be willing to wait "months" for the right trade.

"I think what I've learned more than anything is patience is critical," Cronin said. "Don't be reactive. Don't jump at things just to seemingly solve a problem. I think the teams that have ended up in the most positive situations post-trade have been the ones that have been really diligent in taking their time and not been impulsive, or the teams that really kept their urgency under control.

"So I think that's how my approach has been with this and will be with this. We're going to be patient; we're going to do what's best for our team. We're going to see how this lands. And if it takes months, it takes months."

No details on trade packages offered by Miami have emerged, but it would stand to reason Tyler Herro, Nikola Jovic and 2023 first-round pick Jaime Jaquez Jr. would be included along with multiple future first-round picks.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski has reported the Blazers do not have interest in Herro and would want to reroute him to a third team. Herro is heading into the first season of a four-year, $120 million contract, and it's clear Portland does not want any parts of that deal and wants assets it could get in return for Herro.

That alone is enough to throw a monkey wrench into trade talks.

Lillard acknowledging his trade request could lead to punishment from the NBA given public requests are prohibited in the collective bargaining agreement.