The future of Damian Lillard with the Portland Trail Blazers is uncertain this offseason as they come off another season in which they were out of the playoff picture well before the end of the season. 

Portland has attempted to rebuild around Lillard with win-now veterans such as Jerami Grant, but they have also wanted to keep young players with value such as Shaedon Sharpe. 

If Lillard and the Blazers decide to explore trade options, the Miami Heat are a team expected to have interest.

"I think the Heat are on the cusp of looking for another star maneuver," said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. "I would put them on the list for Dame Lillard if Dame ends up getting traded. If he goes to market, I think the Heat are on that list. I don't know if they have enough. A lot of their offer would be built around Tyler Herro, who was just injured. I suspect, I don't know for sure, just to be clear, I don't know for sure if they're going to offer him, but I suspect that would be the type of thing. That and draft picks."

The Portland Trail Blazers will begin operating a G League franchise for the 23-24 season, which leaves the Phoenix Suns as the only team without an affiliate.

Portland G League team will play their home games at the University of Portland.

“I’m excited to welcome Jody Allen and the Trail Blazers ownership group to the NBA G League family,” said NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim.  “The NBA G League continues to grow to meet the developmental demands of NBA teams, and today’s announcement is further proof of the value the league provides to the NBA every day.  I can’t wait to watch the team tip off at the Chiles Center next season.”

“It was very important to our organization to enter the G League with an affiliate here in Portland and strategically strengthen our dedication to player development,” said Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers General Manager. “I would especially like to thank Jody Allen, who is aligned with Dewayne Hankins and myself, to make it a priority to have this team ready for next season as it will serve not only as a developmental tool for players but also for aspiring coaches and staff while we continue to be a mainstay in the community as a whole.”

Damian Lillard isn't asking to leave the Portland Trail Blazers. He also says he's not issuing threats, but Lillard made it clear he wants the Blazers to be all-in on a direction.

“It ain’t a threat. I ain’t gonna say I’m putting them on the clock, I’m just saying if those things can’t be done, (if) we can’t do something significant like that then we won’t have a chance to compete on that level,” Lillard said. “Not only will I have a decision to make, but I think the organization will too because at that point, it’s like, ‘Are you gonna go young or are we gonna get something done?'”

Lillard went on to say that Portland needs to be "fully committed" to picking a direction. He also said he recognizes the impact this summer will have on the Trail Blazers and his future with the team.

“I think this is our most important offseason since I’ve been here,” Lillard said.

Damian Lillard, Joe Cronin and Chauncey Billups all talked about the need for the Portland Trail Blazers to make big moves this offseason after they finished the season 2-15 over their final 17 games with a 33-49 record overall.

Lillard said there are talented players who want to come to Portland. When asked if he sees a plan to make it all happen, Lillard said he sees “a road to what we could do.”

“But,” Lillard said, “there is a difference in ‘We can do this … and we can do that’ and actually doing it.”

The Blazers are likely to trade their lottery pick unless they land the No. 1 overall selection and can select Victor Wembanyama.

“I’m just not interested in that. That’s not a secret," Lillard said of adding another young player. “I want a chance to go for it. And if the route is to (draft youth), then that’s not my route.”

Cronin says the Blazers have a “target group” of players they think would be good fits in Portland, the same players he said he failed to land in February at the trade deadline. 

Justin Minaya and the Portland Trail Blazers have agreed to a contract for the remainder of the season.

In 27 games with the Mexico City Capitanes, Minaya has averaged 12.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.1 steals and 1.4 blocks.

Minaya went undrafted out of Providence last year.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been eliminated from postseason contention. As such, Portland has shut down some of their veteran players. Now, the Blazers are pivoting to looking at younger players.

As part of that pivot, Portland is waiving veteran guard Ryan Arcidiacono. The Trail Blazers are signing guard Jeenathan Williams out of the G League on a two-way contract.

The 6-foot-5 Williams averaged 12.4 points and 3.6 rebounds per game in the G League. Williams shot 52% from the field, including 43% on three-pointers.