Odds on where Damian Lillard will be traded have been released after a prominent NBA reporter said the six-time All-Star and former scoring champion will soon request a move.
Rumors have swirled since the Portland Trail Blazers were eliminated in the first round of the NBA Playoffs that Lillard would finally make his exit from the Pacific Northwest.
The New York Knicks are the early favorites to land Lillard at +200, according to PointsBet in Colorado as of Friday afternoon. But the Philadelphia 76ers at +250 are close behind, as are the Miami Heat at +300.
Damian Lillard Trade Odds (PointsBet in Colorado)
Odds are as of Friday afternoon. Note: Bets will be refunded if Lillard is not traded.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Knicks | +200 |
| Sixers | +250 |
| Heat | +300 |
| Warriors | +400 |
| Lakers | +500 |
| Clippers | +600 |
| Celtics | +900 |
| Raptors | +1000 |
| Thunder | +1000 |
BetMGM released their own odds later in the day, with the Sixers as +250 favorites, the Knicks at +300 and the Heat at +400.
Damian Lillard Trade Odds (BetMGM)
Odds are as of Friday afternoon. Note: Bets will be refunded if Lillard is not traded.
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Sixers | +250 |
| Knicks | +300 |
| Heat | +400 |
| Warriors | +500 |
| Lakers | +700 |
| Clippers | +700 |
| Celtics | +1100 |
| Raptors | +1400 |
| Thunder | +1400 |
| Suns | +2000 |
| Nuggets | +2500 |
| Pelicans | +2500 |
| Mavericks | +3500 |
| Grizzlies | +3500 |
| Hawks | +5000 |
| Magic | +5000 |
| Wizards | +5000 |
| Rockets | +5000 |
| Timberwolves | +5000 |
A fair warning that Henry Abbott's original report that Lillard would request a trade has been refuted by outlets like The Oregonian and by Lillard himself during a press conference on Friday.
But, when asked about whether he would commit to the Blazers next season, he told reporters, "Right now, I'm not sure what I'm going to do."
Damian Lillard: "I don't disagree that maybe Chauncey can change our team and make us a better team. But I think if you look at our team as it is, I don't see how you say 'this is a championship team, we just need a new coach.'"
— Sean Highkin (@highkin) July 16, 2021
In general, be wary about the bevy of unsubstantiated reports from untrustworthy, self-proclaimed "insiders" that have circulated throughout social media about where Lillard prefers to go.
What the point guard's true thoughts are regarding his future are inherently a matter of speculation, and he's going to play his cards close to his chest in a press conference setting, too.
Bets on these odds, as aforementioned, would be refunded in the event that Lillard is not traded.
The Oakland native has called Portland home since 2012, when he was drafted sixth overall. Along with his six All-Star appearances, he has made the All-NBA First Team once (2018), the All-NBA Second Team four times (2016, 2019-2021) and the All-NBA Third Team once (2014).
Since the 2019-20 season, the 31-year-old has averaged just under 30 points and eight assists while shooting over 10 threes per game at an almost 40% clip.
