One NBA writer is proposing that the Miami Heat acquire superstar point guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Grant Hughes of Bleacher Report proposed that the Heat trade Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Jaime Jaquez Jr., a 2027 first-round pick, and a 2029 first-round pick to the Blazers for Lillard, who openly said he would want to play for Miami if his Portland tenure came to an end.
“Miami gets its third star in Lillard to pair with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, and the Blazers pivot into the rebuild so many have been clamoring for,” Hughes wrote. “The pain of taking on Lowry’s expiring $29.6 million salary will be short-lived, leaving Portland with Herro, Henderson and Sharpe in the backcourt, plus massive cap relief starting in 2024-25.
“Lillard has yet to formally request a trade, but he’s done just about everything short of that final step, including listing Miami as his ‘obviously’ preferred destination if a deal were to get done.”
Lillard and Heat All-Star center Bam Adebayo are very close friends. Miami didn’t aggressively pursue a trade for shooting guard Bradley Beal because Hall of Famer Pat Riley wanted to save his assets for Dame.
A seven-time All-Star, Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists this past season while shooting 46.3% from the field, 37.1% from beyond the arc and 91.4% from the free-throw line. The Heat, who have reached two NBA Finals since star small forward Jimmy Butler came to South Beach in 2019, believe they can win it all with Lillard in the fold next to Butler and Adebayo.
Lillard has career averages of 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists. He’s one of the greatest players in NBA history and could win a championship with the Heat if he finally requests a trade from the Blazers.
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