Yeah the Blazers appear not to be in a hurry to trade Lillard, the question is whether Lillard will not report and force their hand. Blazer's ownership trust is giving Cronin a lot of support but I can imagine they do not want the situation to get ugly. Totally fair they want to maximize the return. This solves quite a few problems for everyone involved.
Heat Receive: Damian Lillard (SG) , Deon Wright (PG) , Nasir Little (SF) , Jusuf Nurkic (C) along with the least valuable 2025 pick from the Knicks , Wizards or if conveyed the Bucks,
They send out: Duncan Robinson (replacing Robinson's bad contract with Nurkics') , Kyle Lowry (Cap Filler), Caleb Martin (who they will miss), Tyler Herro and Jovic , 3 First Rounder Picks and one pick swap
Reasoning : Pretty simple they want Lillard, this is more than they've tried to pay less than they could.
--- Blazers Receive: Dan Gafford (C) [That's a huge upgrade who fits their new core age], Kyle Lowry (Cap Filler) , Evan Fournier [Who has a team option next season], 2029 2nd rounder from Miami, their own pick returned from the Bulls , 2024 First Rounder , 2028 First Rounder
Blazers Send out : Damian Lillard , Jusuf Nurkic , Nasier Little ,a 2024 2nd rounder from CHA or MIN, 2026 2nd rounder Memphis
Reasoning: That's actually a pretty good haul. Gafford is signed to a long term reasonable priced contract and is a rim protector who meets the age range of their new core Henderson-Sharpe. Getting their own first back means they get franchise flexibility, while the pick isn't as valuable to the Bulls as it is to them (it's lotto protected till 2027) sooner or later that bill was coming due. They pick twice in 2024 and twice in 2028. Plus walking away from Nurkic's bad contract and moving off board little sets them up nicely. They still need a Jerami Grant trade outbound at some point (probably) but adding back 3 net picks and Gafford is a nice deal all the way around.
--- Knicks Receive: Zach Lavine & Caleb Martin, 2027 Pick Swap with Miami
Knicks Send Out: RJ Barett, Jerhico Sims Evan Fournier (Cap Dump) , 2 Picks maybe 3 (1 from DAL , 1 back to WAS), they agree to a swap on 2025 with their own , the Wizards, and Milwaukees pick if conveyed (it's protected 1-4). The Knicks receive the 2nd most favorable of the 3 first rounders the Wizards the best and Miami the last.
Reasoning: The Knicks are easily getting the best player not named Lillard and the best value (Martin) in this deal. Moreover they are getting 2 players at positions of need , with skills of need while getting a cap dump in the process. Sims fell down behind Hartenstein and is strictly an injury reserve at this point.
--- Bulls Receive: Tyler Herro & RJ Barrett. Plus Nic Jovic and a 2026 (Good Vintage) unprotected Miami Pick.
Bulls Send Out: Zach Lavine, Return Portlands protected 1st rounder to them, Dyaln Terry (Last years 1st rounder, and Andre Drummond
Reason: Well Lavine and DeRozan have not worked out quite like they hoped, perhaps Tyler and RJ will. I switched from last names to first names there on purpose both Herro and Barrett are on the beginning of their career upswing rather than the downslide. They are locked into Vuc and White for the next 3 years, in the meantime they can draft a few more figure out Patrick Williams home and add another young player in Jovic. --- Wizards Receive: A mess load of picks (they need it). Duncan Robinson (Cap Filler) , Andre Drummond (old vet center to start) Jericho Sims (young center to start with) and Terry for shooting purposes.
Wizards Send Out: Gafford , Wright.
Reasoning: As much as they wouldn't want to lose Gafford, no one wants to start a rebuild without picks. Adding their own back (protected though it is for lottery selections the next few years would eventually convey) and Dallas (1-10 2024, 1-10 2025). --- The 2025 pick swap is basically : The Knicks, Wizards, and the Knicks pick (protected 1-4) form Milwaukee The Wizards get the best if conveyed, Knicks the 2nd best and Miami the 3rd If not conveyed then Wizards then Heat with the Wizards kicking a 2025 2nd to the Knicks