Damian Lillard, the mainstay of the Portland Trail Blazers for a decade, is planning to part ways with his long-time team. With this in mind, bookmakers predict that the Miami Heat have the best odds to secure a deal with the disheartened basketball star.
Bookies.com revealed the betting odds for the top seven NBA teams most likely to sign Lillard, including their respective chances:
Miami Heat: plus-350 (22.2 percent chance)
Philadelphia 76ers: plus-400 (20 percent chance)
San Antonio Spurs: plus-500 (16.7 percent chance)
New Orleans Pelicans: plus-600 (14.3 percent chance)
Minnesota Timberwolves: plus-625 (13.8 percent chance)
New York Knicks: plus-950 (9.5 percent chance)
Brooklyn Nets: plus-1000 (9.1 percent chance)
For context, the other 23 NBA teams collectively hold odds of plus-600 to sign Lillard, with a likelihood of 14.3%.
While the difference between the odds for the Heat and the 76ers is minimal, it is not surprising for the devoted fans who have been following the Lillard trade saga that Miami leads the pack.
Earlier in the week, NBA authority Shams Charania from The Athletic reported that Lillard specifically expressed a desire for a trade "to the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat," and such a move appears mutually beneficial.
The Heat had an unexpected surge in the 2023 NBA playoffs, starting from the play-in tournament and managing to defeat formidable opponents like the Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and the Boston Celtics, the latter after a near-clean sweep.
Despite their clear disadvantage against the Denver Nuggets, the Heat's ability to win a game against the eventual NBA champions stands as a testament to the commendable team that head coach Erik Spoelstra has nurtured.
It's worth mentioning that the Heat's impressive NBA Finals journey was achieved without key players Tyler Herro and Victor Oladipo, enhancing the admiration for their postseason performance.
Lillard, 33, might seem to have delayed his trade request for some, yet it's undeniable that he gave his utmost to the team that brought him into the league.
The basketball powerhouse from Weber State maintains his offensive potency, registering a career-high 71 points this season, alongside games with 60, 50, and 44 points. He could offer the Heat the consistent scoring dynamism they've been lacking.
At present, the speculation is that Herro will be the core element of a potential Blazers-Heat trade due to his contract. Nonetheless, the Brooklyn Nets could potentially insert themselves into the mix, triggering a three-team trade.
Additional updates regarding Lillard's situation are expected to roll out soon. Meanwhile, those betting on the Heat could enjoy a significant payout when all is finally settled.
