The split between Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers has reached the “chess match calculations” phase, as Lillard tries to engineer a trade to the Miami Heat while Trail Blazers General Manager Joe Cronin insists upon exploring other offers. The conflicting aims and machinations of the two sides were revealed by ESPN’s Adrian Wojnaroswki in an extensive piece on the ongoing Lillard saga [subscription required]. Wojnarowski ran down the usual list of trade possibilities, but the most interesting material involved the principals themselves.
Wojnarowski cites league sources, saying Cronin and the Blazers intend to honor Lillard’s trade request, but are committed to taking the best deal available and are soliciting offers for same:
Ownership plans to honor Lillard’s request for a trade, but Blazers officials are telling teams they’ll move Lillard for only the deepest return of assets available.