Is time running out on the Damian Lillard Heat-Blazers deal?

Q: “If it takes a month, it takes a month.” That’s what Portland’s general manager said in July. It’s September. Make up your mind with Damian Lillard now. – Nate.

A: Yes, I was there, sitting to the left of Joe Cronin when he said it was July 10 as the Las Vegas Summer League. But he also did not say how many months. So now, we are getting closer. And that doesn’t really matter, because the Heat and the Trail Blazers haven’t played a game of any consequence since. And no team will do it next month, either. But today is also a month away from training camp. This is the timeframe when the Jazz finally decided with Donovan Mitchell a year ago, sending him to the Cavaliers. So you can either handle such a situation cleanly, before camp starts, or you can drag everyone through the mud, including your franchise icon. When Joe Cronin tried to show that he would not give in, his statement was made, by making it months without an agreement. But what about his team? What about his young, developmental backcourt? What about the best player in Portland history being forced to hang in the air? Two months down, how many to go?