Miami Heat Fans Express Concern Amidst Stalled Damian Lillard Trade Talks

It's been nearly three months since Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard requested a trade, with the Miami Heat being his preferred destination.

And still, the trade talks have seemingly made very little progress, as no significant noise surrounds these conversations.

Many anticipated the negotiations would extend until the regular season, but are still underwhelmed. Fans want to acquire Lillard to start their fourth championship run. They reached the Finals last season but it was largely because of Jimmy Butler's superstar individual performances. They likely can't replicate that success without any star help. They also lost Gabe Vincent and Max Strus, their two starting guards from last postseason. Their current backcourt of Josh Richardson and Tyler Herro is solid but wouldn't be enough to go back to the Finals.

Damian Lillard STILL has not been traded to the Miami Heat pic.twitter.com/Q2LmfOyGo5
— Kevin Marin (@TheKevinMarin) September 23, 2023

Then again, the Heat could prove everyone wrong again and go another improbable run. But fans are probably exhausted of squeaking by to contend, and instead want to be a solidified championship contender.

Another day, another time to get emotionally involved in every single Dame rumor lets goooo
— 𝙃𝙀𝘼𝙏 𝙉𝘼𝙏𝙄𝙊𝙉 (@HeatvsHaters) September 23, 2023

Trail Blazers general manager Joe Cronin said the ordeal could "take months" to resolve, so we may not see a deal until the regular season. All signs have pointed to Miami still being the frontrunner to acquire Lillard, but their lack of assets restricts the deal from getting done in a timely manner.

Good morning Heat fans, remember it’s not about IF we get Dame. It’s about when and how. He wants to be here and it’s going to happen. I don’t know how but it’s going to happen
— raw روان✨ (@raweezzyy) September 23, 2023

Heat fans, you may just want to log off social media for a while.

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Jayden Armant is a contributor to Inside the Heat. He is a student at Howard University. He can be reached at or follow him on TikTok @jaydenarmant.