Damian Lillard Told Blazers He’d Prefer to Return If Not Traded to Heat, per Report

The point guard reportedly told Joe Cronin he’d be willing to rescind his trade request if he wasn’t able to land in his preferred destination.

The dust is beginning to settle on the blockbuster trade that saw Damian Lillard moved from the Trail Blazers to the Bucks in a three-team trade that also included the Suns.

Despite reports throughout the offseason indicating that Lillard’s preferred landing spot would be in Miami with the Heat, the 33-year-old ended up getting dealt to Milwaukee, where he’ll pursue a championship alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo.

According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report, Lillard told Portland GM Joe Cronin that he would rescind his trade request if he wasn’t able to get his desired move to Miami. Haynes indicates that Cronin responded by telling him there was “no coming back” from the trade request.

In a meeting on Sept. 5, Cronin reportedly told Lillard that the Blazers would be seeking “every attractable asset” in a trade with the Heat, which the veteran point guard took as a sign that no trade involving Miami would come to fruition.

Per Haynes, it was after that meeting that Lillard told Cronin he’d be willing to rescind the trade request. 

The haul Portland eventually received for Lillard included Jrue Holiday, DeAndre Ayton, Toumani Camara, a 2029 first-round pick (MIL), and two first-round pick swaps with the Bucks in 2028 and 2030. The Bucks acquired the seven-time All-Star, while the Suns added Keon Johnson, Jusuf Nurkić, Nassir Little, and Grayson Allen.