The Portland Trail Blazers find themselves in a standoff with their star player, Damian Lillard.

Lillard has made it clear that he desires a trade to the Miami Heat, but the Blazers appear uninterested in granting his request. This situation has left Lillard far from pleased, and while reports suggest that he intends to attend training camp and fulfill his duties, it may not be in the team’s best interest to retain a discontented star.

Blazers insider Aaron Fentress believes that, given the circumstances, a deal will eventually materialize before the start of training camp. Having an unhappy player on the roster offers little value, and it remains uncertain whether they will field him.

Lillard had urged the Blazers to trade their first-round picks in pursuit of an All-Star caliber player. Instead, they drafted Scoot Henderson, who could potentially replace Lillard. This decision has raised questions about the logic of having both Lillard and Henderson on the team.

Furthermore, retaining Lillard could hinder Henderson’s development and limit his opportunities to shine in the league. Lillard’s insistence on playing for the Heat exclusively has also weakened the Blazers’ bargaining position.

In the end, the Blazers may have no choice but to part ways with their franchise player, even if the return falls short of their expectations.