Lillard Harden trade still weeks away! Two teams asking for huge returns: recreating the Durant Gobert trade?
Where did Lillard go? Where did Harden go again? The answers to these two questions are not expected soon. On July 6, Beijing time, Shams reported that the deal "will likely take weeks" to complete because the Blazers and 76ers need to evaluate various options and listen to the offers of each team in the hope of maximizing returns.
"Teams will continue to investigate their options, listen to other team offers, and track the market, including what they can get in a potential three-way or even four-way deal, which may be a development in a few days, but it will probably still take a few weeks to complete," Shams said, "While both teams want to act in their own best interests, Harden and Lillard's preferences are also important because no team is willing to accept adding a disgruntled superstar to their team." ”
Woj reported: "The Blazers are looking for a return from the Nets trading Durant, and they're looking for Gobert to go to the Timberwolves in return. This is the value they imagine Lillard to have. They're certainly not in a hurry to trade with the Heat, who need to find a third party to take over Hilo, and I don't think that's going to be resolved anytime soon. Previously, the Suns sent 8-for-2 to get Durant and TJ Warren, and the Timberwolves 10-for-1 to get Gobert.
As things stand, Harden prefers to play for the Clippers, while Lillard is very adamant that he only wants to join the Heat.
US media said that considering the contract status of the two, Harden is expected to be the one who is easier to trade. He executed a $35.6 million player option, planning to work with 76ers to seek a deal. By contrast, Lillard has a larger contract with a longer life, a guaranteed salary of $152.97 million over the next three years, and a player option of $63.2 million for the 2026-27 season.
It was previously reported that the 76ers offered Harden a high asking price, and the Blazers were at a disadvantage from a certain point of view, after all, Lillard is about to turn 33 and his contract is not small. The Heat's offer is expected to revolve around Hilo, Dunro and some draft picks.
Spears said the Blazers aren't happy with the Heat's existing chips, but more than five teams are interested in a potential multi-party trade that could participate in completing the deal. "The deal won't come soon, but I'm sure Lillard will go to the Heat. While Lillard didn't trade veto, it didn't make sense to trade for a player who didn't want to stay and play. Shelburne reports that the Celtics have the ability to close Lillard's deal and have expressed some interest.
Lowe said negotiations between the Clippers and the 76ers over Harden have not progressed much because so far the Clippers have been reluctant to provide Mann and the draft pick, and even Powell has not wanted to send him away. Lowe even questioned whether the two sides were having a serious conversation.
Harden's market is not hot. First, Harden is in the final year of his contract, and the team that wants to get him has to evaluate whether Harden is willing to renew his contract. In addition, this is Harden's third application for a trade in recent years, and such performance has made the team hesitate to give away quality assets. A number of other data shows that Harden's competitive form has dropped significantly, and the number of breakthroughs has dropped significantly, after all, he will soon be 34 years old.