Trade talks between Portland and Miami have hit a roadblock.

 

Throughout the summer, the prevailing belief around the league was that Damian Lillard would ultimately secure a trade to the Miami Heat. The expectation was that the Heat would eventually present their best trade offer, likely involving a third team to take on Tyler Herro, and Portland would accept the deal due to the lack of better options.

 

However, this narrative has shifted. Portland’s General Manager, Joe Cronin, is actively working to facilitate a trade, and league sources, as confirmed by NBC Sports, suggest that there is increasing momentum toward a deal. Surprisingly, the Trail Blazers have refrained from engaging with the Miami Heat in trade discussions. This decision may be influenced in part by Cronin’s lack of enthusiasm for Miami’s players and draft picks. Alternatively, external pressures or organizational directives from the Blazers could be influencing Cronin to seek trade partners elsewhere.

 

The current “we’re comfortable running it back” sentiment emanating from Miami indicates an awareness of the evolving situation. Negotiations in the NBA can quickly change course with a single phone call. However, as things stand, Damian Lillard does not seem destined for South Beach.

So, if not Miami, who could be the potential trade partner?

The most prominent rumors revolve around the Toronto Raptors and the Phoenix Suns, as detailed by Jake Fischer in Yahoo Sports. These trades may take place separately or as part of a larger deal.

 

The core of the trade(s) would involve Lillard heading to Toronto, Deandre Ayton moving to Portland along with one or two first-round draft picks, and Jusuf Nurkic (along with another role player) heading to Phoenix. The linchpin in this trade scenario is OG Anunoby, who could end up in Portland or Phoenix, depending on the deal’s structure. The rationale behind this trade is that Toronto seeks to make a championship push this year, pairing Lillard with Pascal Siakam and the emerging Scottie Barnes, reminiscent of their approach with Kawhi Leonard.

 

Supporters of this trade argue that acquiring Ayton and draft picks is a superior option to Miami’s offer for Portland, assuming Anunoby remains in the Pacific Northwest. (The Ayton component of the trade may come together independently, regardless of Lillard’s situation.)