Damian Lillard trade: Star holds showdown talks with Portland as Miami rumors heat up

"Dame Time" might be nearing an end in Portland.

Damian Lillard and the Trail Blazers are reportedly engaged in talks centered on the point guard's future -- and these talks could end with the superstar requesting a trade after over a decade with the Blazers.

Blazers moving forward with Scoot and Shaedon?

Lillard's decision to sit down with Blazers leadership comes less than a week after the franchise selected guard Scoot Henderson with the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.

Henderson and 2022 lottery pick Shaedon Sharpe are poised to be Portland's backcourt duo for years to come -- but in order to ensure the pair gets the game time they need to develop, a decision must be made on Lillard's long-term future.

Lillard is signed through 2027, and the 33-year-old's $45.6 million salary next season would take up more than one-third of Portland's salary cap.

Miami is waiting

Portland has never indicated that Lillard's salary is an issue, and the player vocalizing a desire to move on is the only way the franchise would consider trading him. If that happens, the Miami Heat remain the favorite to land him in a blockbuster trade.

It's no secret that Lillard would like to play for the Heat, who are seeking a superstar reinforcement after their miraculous postseason run ended in an NBA Finals loss to the Denver Nuggets. Lillard, who averaged a career-high 32.2 points per game during the 2022/23 season, would form an enviable trio in Miami alongside Bam Adebayo and Jimmy Butler.

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