Another set of big names are joining the Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dwyane-wade">Dwyane Wade</a> was one of the few selected to receive the honor. Wade had messages from a long list of big-time players, but <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> sent the most special one.



Wade and LeBron played together in what became an iconic Big 3, completed by another great player like Chris Bosh. Their four-year run together at the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a> equaled four NBA Finals appearances, and they won the 2012 and 2013 championships. Therefore, heartfelt words from the King were expected.


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“Today is the official day my brother Dwyane Wade goes into the HOF! Wow, wow, wow, bro! I can’t say enough how proud and happy I am. The kid from Robbins, Illinois, now in the HALL!!! You a bad man, Trey Ball! SCREAMING CONGRATULATIONS. Love you, kid!”, LeBron posted on Twitter.



<h2>Hall of Fame Class 2023</h2>



The 2023 class that’s being enshrined into the Hall of Fame is full of significant people. <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/san-antonio-spurs">San Antonio Spurs</a> are well represented with Gregg Popovich and Tony Parker, along with former assistant under Popovich Becky Hammon.



Pau Gasol is another legend being inducted, along with Dallas Mavericks icon Dirk Nowitzki. Wade headlines among the more renown new members. However, there is a long list that are joining them.



Gene Bess, David Hixon, and Gene Keady are part of the North American Committee. Gary Blair appears in the Women’s Committee, while Jim Valvano was selected as a Contributor and the 1976 US Women’s Olympic Team was named in the category Women’s Veterans.

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LeBron James’ Message to Dwyane Wade for HOF Induction - Bolavip US

miniaturas

In the NBA there is one particular date that every player wants to be a part of. That’s what happens in the league on Christmas Day, a moment when five fascinating matchups take place. And this year won’t be an exception.



Watching <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> play on December 25th is something normal now, regardless of the team he is playing for. This season, it was even more obvious he was going to play on that day, considering the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a> are a historic franchise.


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LeBron is set for a rivalry game that nobody wants to miss, as the Lakers are facing the Boston Celtics. Another recurring team playing in that iconic situation lately are the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/golden-state-warriors">Golden State Warriors</a>, who are a prime-time attraction with <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/stephen-curry">Stephen Curry</a> starring.



<h2>NBA Christmas Day 2023-2024 Season</h2>



The five matchups that are going to captivate basketball fans everywhere have been revealed, as reported by Shams Charania of The Athletic. Celtics at Lakers is definitely the most historic one, but there are other great matchups.



Curry and the Warriors are travelling to Denver to encounter the defending champions Nuggets. Having two former MVPs like Curry and Jokic makes for a big game. However, the other three matches should give fans a lot to expect.



Dallas Mavericks against <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/phoenix-suns">Phoenix Suns</a> is an opportunity that shouldn’t be missed, considering it features Luka Doncic visiting <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/kevin-durant">Kevin Durant</a>. Also, Milwaukee Bucks are heading to New York to play the Knicks at the Madison Square Garden and Miami Heat have a home game v Philadelphia 76ers.

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Christmas Day: Who joins LeBron James and Stephen Curry? - Bolavip US

Saturday will see a group of high-profile people being enshrined into the Basketball Hall of Fame. This impressive group featuring <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/dwyane-wade">Dwyane Wade</a> also includes legendary players such as Dirk Nowitzki, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol, along with Becky Hammon and Gregg Popovich in it.



Wade is receiving this prestigious mention for his magnificent career, mostly playing for the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a>. He played briefly for the Chicago Bulls and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but his legacy is linked exclusively to what he did with the Heat.


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He won titles in two different eras, with Shaquille O’Neal by his side in the first one. Wade’s second championship run had <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a> next to him. Now, the Los Angeles Lakers player tributed his friend with a nice message.



<h2>LeBron James’ Message for Dwyane Wade</h2>



LeBron was part of one the most iconic teams in recent times when he joined Miami as a free agent. Along with Wade and Chris Bosh, they dominated the early 2010s with four NBA Finals appearances.



The King and Wade won two championships together, strengthening their bond. That’s why he dedicated a message for his former teammate on Twitter answering a video posted by the Heat, where other players paid respect to the Hall of Famer.



“Congrats to my brother on being on the eligible candidate HOF list!! I mean he ain’t no candidate, he’s IN!!!!! Hahaha!” LeBron posted on his official account. Wade will be officially part of the selected group on Saturday night in Springfield, Massachusetts.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="524" height="529" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230811_BUS_44559_Lebron.webp&amp;width=524&amp;height=529" alt="" class="wp-image-44563" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Lebron.jpg 524w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Lebron-297x300.jpg 297w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/Lebron-150x150.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 524px) 100vw, 524px"></figure></div></figure>

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LeBron Reacts to Wade Being in the Hall of Fame - Bolavip US

Lakers’ LeBron James Reacts to Dwyane Wade Being Part of the Hall of Fame

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a> had an impressive run in the 2023 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> playoffs, but they came up short against the Nuggets. Since <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard">Damian Lillard</a> requested a trade out of Portland, Pat Riley has been trying to upgrade the lineup with the veteran guard.



Dame is reportedly keen on joining the Heat, where he would have a legitimate chance to challenge for an elusive ring next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. The problem is the Blazers aren’t giving in so easily.



With the Heat unwilling to negotiate their two stars, the question is what kind of package they’d need to offer to satisfy Portland. Tyler Herro is expected to be part of any potential deal, but just in case, Nikola Jovic is letting the team know he doesn’t want out.



<h2>Nikola Jovic sends message to Heat amid Lillard negotiations</h2>



“It’s basketball. Of course I’d love to be in Miami, those guys are great and they helped me a lot,” Jovic said, via Christos Tsaltas. “I would really love to stay with them and compete in basketball and as a person because they are unbelievable. What happens, happens. I hope I stay there. That’s all.”


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Selected with the 27th overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, Jovic is still a young player with plenty of time to fulfill his potential. Miami has been taking him slowly with the hopes of seeing him blossom into a star. But if trading Jovic is what it takes to land Lillard, the Heat probably won’t hesitate to do so.

Not Tyler Herro: Heat player says he wants to stay amid Lillard rumors - Bolavip US

It's not Tyler Herro: Heat player says he wants to stay amid Damian Lillard rumors

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Heat</a> continue to look for ways to land <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a>. The disgruntled All-Star has let it be known around the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> that he wants to play in South Beach and no place else.



That has been a controversial stance, and even league Commissioner Adam Silver threatened to enforce discipline or veto any potential trade if something odd happened there.



Even so, the Heat have yet to convince the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portland-trail-blazers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a> to engage in serious trade talks with them. And according to Heat insider Ira Winderman, they may not have the assets to do it at all.



<h2>Heat Won’t Give Up, But They Can’t Offer More</h2>



“The reasons you make trades are twofold,” Winderman wrote. “The first reason is to upgrade your core in a win-now setting. The other is to set up your future. With Jimmy Butler to turn 34 before the start of the coming season, the Heat are in that first, win-now category. So you start here: To win right now, is Damian Lillard an upgrade on Tyler Herro for the 2023-24 season? I believe most would agree. Then you look at having to shed other pieces and the impact on your core.”



“The Heat have already shown they can win without Duncan Robinson, albeit a Max Strus replacement would be needed out of the developmental program,” the insider continued. “And it’s not as if Nikola Jovic is weeks, months or even a season away from being a rotation player for a championship contender.”



“So part with those four plus a pick or two (or three) and you basically have done little to damage your core. Now, when you get to Caleb Martin or a ready-now Jaime Jaquez Jr., that is when you would take pause. So you can give up a lot. What you can’t give up is too much,” he concluded.


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So, where or when will the Heat draw a line in the sand and say enough is enough? At this point, it doesn’t seem like the Blazers want to do business with them at all.

The reason why the Heat can't offer more for Damian Lillard - Bolavip US

The reason why the Heat can't offer more for Damian Lillard

Pat Riley is not only the president of the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat,</a> but he is also a legend among head coaches and players. He has won a total of nine <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA </a>championships, mostly as a head coach and executive.



His personal awards and career highlights make him one of the few people who can rightly say who is the best player in the history of the Miami Heat.



Any fan could point to <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lebron-james">LeBron James</a>, who certainly left a legacy and important stats during his years playing in Miami. However, other players who were by his side are also considered top players.



<h2>So, who is the best player in Miami Heat history according to Pat Riley?</h2>



According to a recent interview with Brady Hawk for Five Reasons Sports, Riley named Dwyane Wade as the best player to have played for the Miami Heat. He said, “Dwyane is the greatest player that ever played for the Heat, and that’s not an insult to LeBron.”



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-full"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="422" height="252" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.bolavip.com/webp/en/full/BUS_20230809_BUS_43124_brady-hawk-miami-heat-pat-riley-lebron-dwade.webp&amp;width=422&amp;height=252" alt="" class="wp-image-43147" srcset="https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/brady-hawk-miami-heat-pat-riley-lebron-dwade.jpg 422w, https://bolavip-us.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2023/08/brady-hawk-miami-heat-pat-riley-lebron-dwade-300x179.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px"></figure></div></figure></div>



Riley also praised Wade for helping him get to the Hall of Fame. He said, “He helped me become a Hall of Fame guy. I love him dearly, I just do.” Riley also remembered the 2006 Finals, when Wade led the Heat to a championship, and said, “He was the greatest player on the planet.”

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NBA: Pat Riley picks the best Miami Heat player, not Lebron James - Bolavip US

NBA: Pat Riley picks the best Miami Heat player, not Lebron James

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portland-trail-blazers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers </a>and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a> are still at a stalemate. Reports around the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NBA</a> cite that the team still hopes he changes his mind and takes his trade request back.



That seems highly unlikely, and it’s not like it would be good for them, either. They already have Shadeon Sharpe and Scoot Henderson there, so they should look forward to building around them.



With that in mind, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Heat </a>star Bam Adebayo — who is quite close with Lillard — took some time to discuss his friend’s situation and the rumors of teaming up in South Beach.



<h2>Bam Adebayo Talks About Damian Lillard</h2>



“I think it’s just demeanor,” Adebayo said of Lillard. “How he walks, how he talks, how he presents himself, we have a lot of similar characteristics. Dame isn’t the loudest person, I’m not the loudest person. We’re two down-to-earth people that gelled well in the Olympics.”



“I don’t know what’s about to happen,” Adebayo said. “The biggest thing is it’s business. Everybody wants it to make sense — obviously, the other side wants it to make sense too. I feel like it’s just a waiting game until they make an agreement, if or when it does happen.”


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It still seems like it’s a matter of when, not if, Lillard will be traded to the Heat. However, the Blazers might look to drag this into the season unless the Heat one-up their current bid.

Bam Adebayo gets real on Damian Lillard's trade rumors - Bolavip US

Bam Adebayo gets real on Damian Lillard's trade rumors

The 2023-24 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> season is still a few months away from us, but many teams are already looking forward to dethroning the Nuggets. Jimmy Butler’s <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a> and LeBron James’ <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/los-angeles-lakers">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, for instance, are teams to watch heading into next year.



The purple and gold have been aggressive this offseason, aiming to build on their trip to the Conference Finals to take a step forward next time. On the other hand, Miami also hopes to get the job done in 2024 after coming so close in June.



The Heat seem to be just another superstar away from winning the championship, which is why Pat Riley is working to get Damian Lillard on board. In the meantime, they have reportedly signed a former Laker.



<h2>Heat reportedly sign former Laker Cole Swider</h2>



According to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic, the Miami Heat are signing Cole Swider, who was waived by the Los Angeles Lakers in July after spending last season with them on a two-way contract.


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The 24-year-old only played 41 minutes for the purple and gold, but he had more playing time with the South Bay Lakers in the G League, making 32 appearances. With Max Strus and Gabe Vincent gone, the Heat needed another shooter.

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NBA Rumors: Jimmy Butler's Heat sign former teammate of LeBron James at Lakers

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Heat</a> continue to try and find ways to get <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a>. However, the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portland-trail-blazers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a> don’t seem interested in cooperating, and haven’t been impressed by their current offers.



The NBA even sent out a memo warning all parties involved about a potential veto, granted that Lillard’s agent had reportedly reached out to teams warning them against trading for his client.



Nonetheless, it seems like Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley are still adamant about trading for Lillard, with Adrian Wojnarowski and Shams Charania shedding more light on the situation.



<h2>This Is Where Things Stand With Lillard And The Heat</h2>



“Miami remains a team most motivated that has enough assets to eventually, perhaps, outbid the market,” Woj said on ESPN. “The problem is: Portland looks at what Miami has, doesn’t love it, and keeps hoping something better is going to come along. It may or may not.”



“I’m told the Heat have been preparing a trade package around 3-4 first-round draft picks, potential draft swaps, as well as second-round picks, a young player potentially. We see right there what the framework of a deal could look like,” reported Charania.


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As of now, it doesn’t seem like this story will end any time soon, and Lillard could still be on their roster by the start of next season. If so, the Heat might need to look somewhere else for another star.

Woj and Shams reveal the Heat's latest offer for Damian Lillard - Bolavip US

Woj and Shams reveal the Heat's latest offer for Damian Lillard

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jimmy-butler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Butler</a> faced some mockery and backlash when he left the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/philadelphia-76ers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> to join the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat.</a> Some claimed he’d never win a ring in South Beach with that roster.



But Butler has actually gone further into the playoffs than the Sixers since he arrived in South Beach, even making it to the NBA Finals twice in just four years with the team.



Butler is the undisputed alpha dog in Erik Spoelstra’s team. And as such, he’s going to demand a steep payday, with Heat writer Ira Winderman predicting that he could ask for more money than Jaylen Brown got from the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/boston-celtics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boston Celtics.</a>



<h2>Jimmy Butler Could Fetch Historically Lucrative Deal</h2>



“And what likely will have Jimmy Butler asking for an extension soon enough, in essence asking for something even beyond Jaylen Brown money,” Winderman wrote.



“The numbers are numbing: $52.4 million in 2024-25, $56.6 million in 2025-26, $60.8 million in 2026-27, $64.9 million in 2027-28 and $69.1 million in 2028-29,” Winderman wrote. “So, yes, the 82-game NBA is on the brink of $1 million per-game salaries.”


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At the end of the day, that’s just the way things go in the league. What looks like a crazy deal one day it’s a bargain the other. It won’t be long before that happens with Brown’s contract.

Jimmy Butler could slap the Heat with massive request - Bolavip US

Jimmy Butler could slap the Heat with massive request

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a> gave a lot to talk about last season, making all the way to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> Finals from the Play-In tournament. In the end, <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jimmy-butler">Jimmy Butler</a> and company fell short from the ultimate goal, but it was still a remarkable campaign.



Now it’s time to turn the page and look towards the future, hoping to get the job done next year. In order to do that, Pat Riley is working to get a deal done for Damian Lillard, who reportedly wants to chase his first ring in South Florida.



However, trade talks with the Portland Trail Blazers don’t look easy, and negotiations could drag on for months. In the meantime, the Heat are believed to be working on the return of a former player.



<h2>Rumor: Heat in conversations with Goran Dragic</h2>



According to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, the Miami Heat have already held conversations with Goran Dragic‘s camp over a potential return of the guard to South Beach:



“There have been conversations between the Heat and the representation for free agent guard Goran Dragic, who would welcome a return to the team. Any Heat decision on Dragic likely would come later in the summer.”



<h2>Dragic wants to return to Miami</h2>



In an interview with Slovenian outlet Siol.net, the 37-year-old free agent admitted he would love to return to the Heat, where he became a fan favorite between 2015 and 2021: 



“The main desire is to return to Miami. … Now everyone is waiting for Damian Lillard to decide where he will go next, so everyone is off to a low start. … We are in talks with a few clubs, but much more will be known in a few days when the news will be released. You will see.”


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Dragic was one of the few bright spots for the Heat in many difficult years and even contributed to their trip to the 2020 NBA Finals. Things haven’t been the same for the Dragon since he left, which is why it makes sense he wants to go back to Miami.

NBA Rumors: Former Heat player in talks with Miami - Bolavip US

NBA Rumors: Former Heat player in talks with Miami

The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Heat</a> have been keeping tabs on <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a> for quite a while now. However, it doesn’t seem like the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portland-trail-blazers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a> will ever agree to trade him to his preferred destination.



The league even sent a memo about a potential Lillard trade to South Beach. The Heat will need to one-up their offer for the multi-time All-Star, but it seems unlikely at this point.



With that in mind, Bleacher Report’s NBA staff put together a trade idea to try and revamp their roster. In this scenario, they’d trade for <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/utah-jazz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Utah Jazz’</a>s rising star, Lauri Markkanen.



<h2>NBA Rumors: Heat Could Trade For Lauri Markkanen</h2>



(via Bleacher Report)



“Miami Heat Receive: Lauri Markkanen



Utah Jazz Receive: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Duncan Robinson, 2024 first-round pick* (top-one protection), 2028 first-round pick (top-three protection)



Markkanen is an out-there target. The Jazz haven’t given any inclination they’d move him. That tracks. He is only 26, just earned an All-Star selection and has two years left on his deal at the bargain rate of $35.3 million.



There is still value in exploring sell-high scenarios. Utah is building for years down the line, not just the next two or three. (…) He can fill the frontcourt spot next to Bam Adebayo or absorb minutes at the 3, and his offense is a unique hybrid of one part self-sustaining, two parts play-finishing around his surroundings.



Three firsts is a huge price to pay, but Markkanen’s worth it. The Heat are also keeping Tyler Herro and getting out of Robinson’s deal (three years, $57.5 million)—which doesn’t look so bad this side of the 2023 playoffs but is also miles from asset territory.”


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Of course, this is just an idea, and it doesn’t mean this is going to happen. Then again, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to think that the Heat could eventually move on from the Lillard saga and explore different avenues to bolster their roster.

NBA Rumors: Heat could trade for another star instead of Damian Lillard - Bolavip US

NBA Rumors: Heat could trade for another star instead of Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard&nbsp;has chosen the&nbsp;<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Heat</a>&nbsp;as his next team to play alongside&nbsp;<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/jimmy-butler" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Jimmy Butler</a>. After the&nbsp;<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portland-trail-blazers" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail&nbsp;Blazers</a>&nbsp;took Scoot Henderson in the 2023 NBA Draft, there was no turning back. 



Lillard is currently under contract until the 2026-2027 season. In 2022, he signed that two-year extension worth $225 million. However, there were many doubts about his future considering the&nbsp;Blazers&nbsp;are still far away from being a contender.


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Though&nbsp;<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a> wants to leave Portland, the trade package offered by Miami hasn’t been enough. Now, there’s another problem. The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> is seriously considering a big sanction for the star player.



<h2>NBA sends huge warning to Damian Lillard</h2>



A few weeks ago, Damian Lillard&nbsp;officially requested the&nbsp;Trail Blazers&nbsp;to be traded. Nevertheless, Portland’s front office might not be willing to attend his demands. If the Heat don’t have a strong trade package, there’s no transfer. General manager&nbsp;Joe Cronin&nbsp;has already warned that time is not a problem. 







“We’re going to be patient. We’re going to do what’s best for our team. We’re going to see how this lands.&nbsp;And if it takes months, it takes months.&nbsp;That’s how my approach has been and will be with this.”



Even in this scenario, Aaron Goodwin, the agent of Damian Lillard, has called other teams interested to inform them that the player won’t accept any offer. Just the Miami Heat. That information was reported by Adrian Wojnarowski.



As a consequence, according to ESPN, the NBA might take action against the star and sent a memo to each team assuring that any player or his agent who makes public or private comments indicating he won’t “fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade” will be subject to discipline. 


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In the memo to all the teams, the NBA clarified that Lillard and Goodwin have guaranteed that the player would commit to his current contract regardless if he goes to other team or stays at Portland. Of course, that ending is yet to be seen as Damian might have lost a lot of leverage to work with.

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Damian Lillard gets bad news from Blazers

Damian Lillard could get big suspension from NBA - Bolavip US

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard">Damian Lillard</a> has been the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a>‘s priority target for weeks, but it looks like the Portland Trail Blazers are willing to wait as long as necessary to part with their superstar. Needless to say, this is the most intriguing saga heading into the 2023-24 <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> season.



While many feel it’s a matter of when, not if this deal will get done, the fact that the weeks go by and there’s still no agreement makes noise. Dame wants Miami and viceversa, but the Blazers have the final say.



So, even if Lillard’s agent made it clear to other teams his client is only interested in the Heat, there’s speculation that other teams could jump in at some point. Recently, the Pelicans were mentioned as a dark-horse candidate to get Lillard.



<h2>Rumor: Pelicans could get Lillard before Heat</h2>



According to former NBA executive and current columnist at The Athletic John Hollinger, New Orleans could make the right offer to land Lillard if the Miami saga drags on:



“It would be ironic to trade McCollum and Nance back to Portland since that’s almost certainly what this would entail to create a salary match. There is a case to be made for kicking the tires on this, even though it’s not Lillard’s first choice. He’s signed for four more years, so his leverage is fairly limited. And the Pels can create a winning package with their future picks and young players; there is no question they can outbid the rest of the market.”



<h2>Lillard could increase his wish list</h2>



The lengthy negotiations between Heat and Blazers also fuel speculation that Lillard could expand his wish list. According to Ramona Shelburne of ESPN, the guard may consider opening the doors to other teams if this saga extends for months:



“Dame was so loyal. Wanted to put himself in a good position… Probably just waited too long. Question is does it happen during the offseason or do we wait until February… He may even expand his list of teams he’d be willing to go to.”


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The Heat are still in pole position to acquire the 33-year-old, but the longer they fail to reach an agreement, the bigger the risk other teams step in. Only time will tell how this plays out.

NBA Rumors: Heat could lose Damian Lillard to an unexpected team - Bolavip US

NBA Rumors: Heat could lose Damian Lillard to an unexpected team

<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/damian-lillard">Damian Lillard</a> stayed loyal to the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/portland-trail-blazers">Portland Trail Blazers</a> for more than a decade, but it looks like he’s had enough. With the <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/miami-heat">Miami Heat</a> seeking to win another <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nba">NBA</a> championship, Tyler Herro could be dealt for the veteran guard.



The 2019 first-round pick is seen as one of, if not the best asset Miami can offer apart from Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, who are not negotiable for the Heat. But negotiations haven’t been easy so far.



While Lillard has made it clear he only wants a trade to South Florida, the Blazers are trying to get as much as they can in return. While Herro could be useful, Portland may be interested in another Heat player.



<h2>Report: Blazers could want Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr.</h2>



According to Sam Vecenie of The Athletic, the Portland Trail Blazers may want to include Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the Lillard trade. Here’s what he said in a recent episode of his Game Theory Podcast, via Heat Nation:



“It wouldn’t surprise me if they do want Jaquez. I don’t know that for sure. But I did hear his name a little bit with Portland predraft. It wouldn’t surprise me if they value Jaquez in the same way that they ended up valuing Kris Murray predraft as like an older player that could bring them some stability.”


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The Heat selected Jaquez in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft, so it would make sense if the Blazers land him to rebuild with a young player whose career is just getting started.

NBA Rumors: The Heat player Portland could want in Damian Lillard trade besides Tyler Herro - Bolavip US

NBA Rumors: The Heat player Portland could want in Damian Lillard trade besides Tyler Herro

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