New Odds Reveal Likelihood of Jazz Winning Damian Lillard Sweepstakes

Although the Utah Jazz have the resources to trump any offers on the table, the oddsmakers are giving them a puncher's chance to acquire Portland Trail Blazers All-Star Damian Lillard via trade at 20-1 odds, according to Covers.com.

The Miami Heat remain a heavy favorite in the Lillard sweepstakes, with a 75% chance of landing the seven-time All-Star, while the Boston Celtics are given an 18% shot.

Is Dame headed to Miami? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/VBJcAz16hv
— Covers (@Covers) July 3, 2023

These odds are coming off the heels of reports that the Blazers are looking to get the best offer on the table, despite Lillard’s desire to become a member of the Heat.

According to ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowski, the Blazers are not impressed with what the Heat are willing to relinquish for Lillard up to this point.

“Portland is not impressed with what Miami has to offer them and while it’s Damian’s preference to go to the Heat, Portland has to get back maximum value for Damian Lillard if they’re going to trade him,” Wojnarowski said.

The Trail Blazers are “not impressed” with the Heat’s trade offer for Damian Lillard, which could lead to a deal elsewhere now, per @wojespn:

- While Damian Lillard prefers Miami, Portland needs “maximum value” in any trade.

- Miami needs at minimum a third team to take on… pic.twitter.com/lTvmtFUAgV
— Evan Sidery (@esidery) July 4, 2023

Utah is obviously considered a dark horse to land Lillard’s services, but at the least, expect Jazz CEO Danny Ainge to inquire what the cost would be in an exchange. Wojnarowski noted that the Blazers' brain trust has been receiving multiple calls in regard to a potential asking price.

“This is likely to be a long process,” Wojnarowski said. “I think what Portland is doing right now is taking a lot of calls from a lot of teams around the league — some serious to begin with showing real interest and a lot just checking in.”

Portland may be asking for a king's ransom, considering what went down in the recent Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, and Kevin Durant exchanges.

That said, duplicating a similar return in those trades could be a tall task due to a contract that’s not team-friendly and Lillard entering his age-33 season. Jazz fans shouldn’t expect closure on the matter anytime soon, with Portland in a position to wait this one out.

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