Why a Damian Lillard trade to Miami makes sense

Damian Lillard, one of the NBA's top talents, is coming off one of the best statistical seasons of his career (32.2 PPG, third most in the NBA). 

Although Lillard played phenomenally this season, the Trail Blazers (33-49) flopped, finishing 13th in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs for the second straight season.

Trade rumors have heated up for Lilliard recently due to the struggles of the Trail Blazers and his desire to compete for a championship. The Miami Heat are considered a potential landing spot for the 11-year veteran and, per The Athletic, Lillard has “serious interest" in heading to Florida.

A trade of Lillard to the Heat would benefit both teams.

Lillard has been praised as one of the more NBA's more loyal, but he is approaching his 12th NBA season without any NBA Finals appearances. His championship window will close if he doesn’t get to a better team soon.

Joining the Eastern Conference champion Heat would give Lillard an instant chance at a title. The Heat have reached the NBA Finals in two of the past four seasons and are renowned for a culture built on extreme mental toughness and hard work from each member of the organization. 

Lillard could be the key piece the Heat need to finally win a championship in the Jimmy Butler era. In their most recent NBA Finals appearance, the Heat lost to the Lakers (2019-20) and Nuggets (this season) and fell to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021-22. If it had an offensive weapon such as Lillard, Miami might have won at least one of those series.

With Butler turning 34 in September, Miami’s championship window with this core could be closing, too. The Heat must go all-in on a star like Lillard to win now.

A trade would benefit the Trail Blazers in the long run. The assets Portland would obtain in a deal could allow it to build a competitive roster around promising young talents Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, and Shaedon Sharpe. Both players have star potential.

The Trail Blazers would struggle struggle for a few seasons, but they already are staggering with one of the game's best talents in Lillard.

Bottom line: Dealing Dame is best for him and the Trail Blazers. He should request a trade to Miami before it's too late.