Damian Lillard has finally asked for a trade out of the Portland Trail Blazers as the Guard hopes to find a spot on a Championship-contending team. The Miami Heat has been the favored destination for Dame, per reports. But conversations have now shifted towards the 6-foot-2 sharpshooter joining the Golden State Warriors after the Chris Paul trade. However, many media personalities have downplayed the prospect.
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If the rumors do end up being true and the Bay Area side goes on to win another title with Dame Lillard, Fox Sports Analyst Chris Broussard believes that the former Blazers star’s first-ever Championship will hold no value.
There is no doubt that the Heat is Lillard’s preferred destination. However, reportedly, Dame is open to the possibility of joining Stephen Curry and Co. in Golden State. ESPN’s senior writer Ramona Shelburne suggested the same just a few hours ago.
“They could have waited for Dame. Dame is from the Bay Area. I know he was interested…If he was going to ask for a trade…the Warriors would have been on that list,” Shelburne said.
The panel had a brief discussion of a possible Damian Lillard move to the Golden State Warriors in the recent episode of First Things First. Chris Broussard said that a hypothetical Championship win playing under Steve Kerr would not be a legacy-changing moment for Dame Dolla.
The FS1 analyst further stated that a Championship win with some other team, like the Miami Heat, the Boston Celtics, and the Philadelphia 76ers would be much more meaningful for Lillard.
“Let’s say they won the Championship, this wouldn’t be like a legacy-changing ring for Dame. If he goes to Miami and they win, if he went to Boston or Philly and they won it, it’s a legacy-changing ring. You go to Golden State which has won four rings… Doesn’t change your legacy,” Broussard said.
Dame winning it all w/ Warriors = Pity Ring
Dame winning it all w/ any other team = Legacy Changing Ring— @Chris_Broussard pic.twitter.com/YMNZELOkvd
— First Things First (@FTFonFS1) July 6, 2023
Broussard certainly as a point. Kevin Durant is still trolled to this day for joining a 73-9 Warriors team as a rival just to win some rings before retirement. There’s no reason to think that Dame would see a different fate.
However, luckily, Lillard has options.
The San Antonio Spurs have been interested in Lillard
The Miami Heat are strong favorites to acquire Dame. Apart from the Florida side, the Celtics and the Sixers have been in conversations to add the seven-time All-NBA player to the squad.
Recent reports also suggested that the combo guard was interested in the San Antonio Spurs following Victor Wembanyama’s acquisition. Take a look at what Ramona Shelburne has to say in ClutchPoint’s tweet.
“Dame has a lot of respect for that organization. There’s a fascination with Wembanyama. There’s a fascination with the idea of Gregg Popovich… There’s a lot of interest from Dame’s side in the San Antonio Spurs”
– @ramonashelburne on Damian Lillard pic.twitter.com/1e0f5EYxtz
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) July 1, 2023
The idea of Lillard joining the Spurs is pretty interesting. It matches his criteria of not playing for a team with multiple All-Stars. Of course, Wembanyama is yet to prove his worth on the NBA hardwood, but it seems like a safe bet to join the Texas side.
