Bucks’ Damian Lillard Publicly Calls Out Blazers While Addressing Initial Desire for Heat Trade

One of the hottest topics of the NBA offseason was Damian Lillard’s intent to be traded to the Heat.

Despite Lillard’s stated preference to join Miami, the former Trail Blazers star ended up with the Bucks in a blockbuster three-team trade.

Lillard admitted he’s happy being in Milwaukee, but it also sounds as if he might hold a grudge for how the Blazers handled the situation.

“I don’t think it was a secret that Miami is where I wanted to go when I asked for a trade,” Lillard said on SiriusXM NBA Radio. “It was more of a thing when this conversation even started. It was like, ‘We’re not going to be able to build this team out. We’ll help you get to where you want to go.’ And that was where I wanted to go.”

“I don’t think it was a secret that Miami is where I wanted to go when I asked for a trade. When this conversation started, it was like ‘We’re not going to be able to build this team out. We’ll help you get to where you want to go’. And that was where I wanted to go”

— Damian… pic.twitter.com/HzdhGxFcr0

— BASKETBALL ON 𝕏 (@BasketballOnX) October 9, 2023

Although it’s not clear what transpired in talks between Portland and Miami, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst has reported that the Blazers asked for more than the Heat were willing to offer. Additionally, The Athletic’s Shams Charania reported that Lillard believed his former team had no intention of trading him to his preferred destination.