Our managing editor engages in a discussion about Damian Lillard with some of Miami’s most knowledgeable individuals. While trade rumors surrounding Damian Lillard have subsided in many NBA circles, the fervor continues in Portland and Miami. The key figures involved in the presumed Lillard-to-Heat trade have a lot at stake, and their fans are eagerly following every development.

This week, Brandon Di Perno, a prominent figure from the former SBNation Heat site (now a substack sensation) Hot Hot Hoops, had an in-depth conversation with Managing Editor Dave Deckard about all things related to Damian Lillard. You can find the full interview by following this link.

If you’re interested in reading the rest of the interview, it’s available on their substack. We’d love to hear your take on how Dave handled these questions. Would your responses differ in any way? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section below. Who knows, your insights might influence our perspective the next time someone asks these questions!

Here are the exact questions that were posed, without Dave’s responses. How would you answer them yourself? Don’t hesitate to tackle any or all of them in the comments section below. Your input could offer a fresh perspective to consider:

1. How do you personally feel about the way both Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers front office have handled this situation? And what’s your sense of how Blazers’ fans are currently reacting?
2. Do you believe that Damian Lillard’s trade request and its management will affect his legacy in Portland?
3. If no trade is finalized, how do you anticipate the situation unfolding in Portland? Are we witnessing a scenario similar to Vince Carter’s departure from Toronto, or do you envision a more reserved outcome?
4. In the event of a trade, which Miami Heat player would you prefer to see join the Blazers?
5. Damian Lillard’s approach to his trade request and the manner in which it has been managed seem unique, even in the era of player empowerment. What are your thoughts on this evolving dynamic?
6. If a trade is completed, and Damian Lillard becomes a member of the Miami Heat, how do you envision this affecting the Heat’s position in the current Eastern Conference landscape?
7. If Damian Lillard is no longer a part of the Blazers, what should we expect from the team in the short term?
8. Given the confusion surrounding the Grant contract and the selection of Scoot in the draft, do you have confidence in the current direction of the team?