Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers is finding limited suitors for a trade, aside from the Miami Heat. According to an anonymous NBA executive, teams are reluctant to offer much for the aging star. The executive stated, “There’s not that many teams that are going to give you a bunch of players and picks for a 33-year-old who can’t stay healthy and has a giant contract sitting there,” as reported by Forbes.

He added, “It wasn’t anything Dame or (agent) Aaron Goodwin said that shut down the market. That stuff didn’t help. But there weren’t teams lined up for him even before that.” This insight could shed light on why Damian Lillard hasn’t been traded yet. If this executive’s assessment of Lillard holds true, it’s clear why the Blazers aren’t in a hurry to trade the point guard, especially when there’s reportedly just one viable market in Miami. It’s uncertain whether Lillard plans to sit out from team activities if he’s not traded. NBA training camps start in September, with the season commencing in mid-October.

Lillard’s declaration that he exclusively wants to be in Miami has discouraged potential suitors, which the Trail Blazers could have used to leverage better offers, whether from the Heat or elsewhere. The Blazers are understandably cautious not to make a deal that they feel would undervalue Lillard. The current offer from the Heat, centered around Tyler Herro (a player the Blazers reportedly don’t desire), has been described as “unfair” by Charles Barkley.

Lillard’s value isn’t just in his on-court skills, which are still substantial. He averaged 32.2 points and 7.3 assists last season while shooting 46.3% from the field and 37.1% from beyond the arc. However, Lillard, at 33, has missed 77 games in the past two seasons. He’s guaranteed about $215 million over the next four years, which includes a $120 million two-year extension signed last summer.

In his age 35 season, Lillard is set to earn $58.5 million, increasing to $63 million at 36. With his recent injury history, his durability is a concern, making him a risky investment. Only a few teams can afford such a gamble, perhaps the Sixers if they could involve James Harden, or the Clippers if they could part with a star.

There were murmurs about the Nets potentially pursuing Lillard, but Brooklyn never made an offer and wouldn’t trade young stars Cam Johnson or Mikal Bridges. The NBA office tried to clear the air in late July, sending a memo to all 30 teams affirming that Lillard would honor his contract if traded to Miami or elsewhere, although this didn’t change much.

Miami is aging and looking to make one final push for the Finals. They’ve been cautious with the luxury tax but can afford to exceed it if necessary, although Lillard’s contract could push them well into the tax. Lillard’s declaration that he only wants Miami hasn’t necessarily deterred potential suitors, as the market for him appeared sparse even before the Heat drama unfolded.