Another NBA offseason, another ostensible crossroads for Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers.
In what's seemed like an endless loop of speculation, the Blazers — forever losing their battle to put a true contender around Dame — might finally be reaching a boiling point. The frustratingly-loyal Lillard put up arguably the best statistical season of his career in 2022-23, but Portland burned out after a hot start, with their NBA odds to claim the title slipping steadily.
After years of trying, is it time for the Blazers' front office to fire up a rebuild? Find out if, and where, the franchise legend could be headed with the latest Damian Lillard next team odds.
Damian Lillard's next team odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
 Portland Trail Blazers |
-175 |
 Miami Heat |
+110 |
 Philadelphia 76ers |
+1,200 |
 New Orleans Pelicans |
+1,500 |
 Brooklyn Nets |
+1,800 |
 Boston Celtics |
+2,000 |
 Los Angeles Clippers |
+2,500 |
 Toronto Raptors |
+3,000 |
 Los Angeles Lakers |
+3,000 |
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook on June 21, 2023.
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Favorites to acquire Damian Lillard
Portland Trail Blazers (-175)
Some people's priorities are just different. Most NBA superstars are obsessed with their legacies and how championships (or lack thereof) will shape them in the history books. But every now and then, you get that guy who's fiercely devoted to the squad he came up with and just wants to foster the strongest culture he can there. Damian Lillard is that second one.
Dame could've gotten fed up with the Trail Blazers and forced his way out of town long ago. Hell, most NBA fans have expected as much for years, when Portland's mediocrity became the annual subject of offseason scrutiny.
It might be time to finally pull the plug on running it back. Lillard will be 33 by the time the 2023-34 season tips off, not only sapping the time he has left to chase a title, but, presumably, the runway before he starts showing decline and Portland's no longer able to get top-shelf return for him.
However, the Blazers are armed with a platoon of young assets, and maybe feel stubbornly attached to the idea of re-tooling around Lillard ("pot-committed," to borrow a poker term). Given the optics of trading a franchise icon, they may not be as anxious to part ways as impartial eyes would hope, and the odds favor Dame remaining in Oregon.
Miami Heat (+110)
While teams like the Celtics and Bucks generally represent the East favorites in the collective zeitgeist, the Heat have made the Finals in two of the past four seasons, coming within inches of a third in 2022.
But while they've scrapped their way to consistent playoff excellence, most would agree they're a certain offensive punch away from truly standing out among the contenders. The 2024 NBA championship odds certainly paint that picture, listing the Heat at +1,400 — fourth-best in the East, eighth-best overall.
Enter relentlessly-aggressive and creative front-office maestro Pat Riley, the OG of winning, the guy who's been involved in a quarter of the NBA Finals in history as a player, coach, or executive. If there's a single person in the league aware of how close this Heat team is, and willing to do whatever it takes to get them over the hump, it's him.
Miami has limited present assets but plenty of future first-rounders and believes it can shake Lillard loose, especially with Tyler Herro presumably expendable after the Heat made the Finals without him.
Philadelphia 76ers (+1,200)
While the odds would certainly suggest this is a two-horse race, let's speculate a bit, because, why the hell not?
The 76ers are also very much at a crossroads this offseason, already having canned their coach after The Process' umpteenth disappointing playoff exit. Joel Embiid's likely growing increasingly frustrated and subtweeting the franchise on a burner somewhere, while James Harden's declining productivity may make him an unideal running mate.
The question is what Philly offers in return. A package built around Tyrese Maxey, Tobias Harris' mammoth expiring contract, and picks seems like a logical place to start, and Daryl Morey is certainly unafraid to acquire shooters or explore complicated trades.
Taking talents to South Beach?
Given the Blazers' stubbornness in insisting they can still surround Lillard with contending talent, it seems foolish to bet against him remaining there, again.
This is a polarizing market, especially among Portland fans. I personally find better value in the Heat at slight plus money than the Blazers at odds-on.
Dame's done the loyalty bit enough, and a guy as fiercely competitive as he is surely wants to be playing for all the marbles at some point in his career. Portland was nowhere near contending last season, and both parties involved in this trade should feel the proper impetus to make something happen.
To boot, Lillard is a near-perfect fit on the Heat, a legendarily lethal shooter who would double as the playmaker and shot-creator Miami desperately needs, while being able to have a strong unit mask his shortcomings on defense.
The Blazers know the clock is ticking before the Lillard seller's market flips on them. Let's hope they finally figure out what's best for themselves — and Dame.
My best bet: Miami Heat (+110 at DraftKings)
