Heat ‘Hesitant’ to Include Key Piece in Blazers Damian Lillard Trade, per Report

Just weeks away from the opening of NBA training camps across the league, there appears to be no end in sight to the Damian Lillard saga.

Lillard still reportedly prefers to play this season with the Heat, but the Trail Blazers appear to be no closer to dealing him away. Lillard is expected to report to whichever team holds his contract rights at the start of camp, but his preference remains to play in Miami.

As for the Heat, the team appears reluctant to part with emerging wing Caleb Martin in a Lillard trade package, according to a report from Sam Amico of Hoops Wire. Despite the team’s disinterest in moving Martin, Miami has reportedly made both rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. and second-year forward Nikola Jović available in trade talks.

There’s no indication that a trade is any closer to happening between the two sides, but a package that doesn’t at least involve Martin seems unlikely to move the needle without other teams or draft picks included.

For now, Lillard remains a member of the Trail Blazers, and could start the season playing once again for the only franchise he has ever known.