Why the Damian Lillard trade is a double loss for Heat

While the Heat were openly pursuing Lillard since he requested a trade in June, they’ve been not-so-secretly interested in Giannis Antetokounmpo for years. When Antetokounmpo gave an interview about how he wouldn’t necessarily stay with Milwaukee for his whole career, Miami probably though they had a chance to snag the Greek Freak in the next year or two.

All those hopes shattered when Portland sent Lillard to Milwaukee to team up with Antetokounmpo. Now one of their biggest Eastern Conference rivals have loaded up, and make it likely that Milwaukee's two-time MVP signs a long extension next summer.

Since the Heat landed Jimmy Butler in 2019, they've fallen short in adding another superstar, despite being linked to many relocating stars.

This summer, Miami struck out on Beal, who chose to join Durant with the Phoenix Suns, and Lillard, where trade talks never really got started with Portland. Other than Beal, the other three stars netted big returns, beyond which Miami could realistically match given their assets.

But is it truly a failure if the Heat also reached the NBA Finals twice in that stretch? They landed six-time All-Star Kyle Lowry in 2021 at little cost, just like the Heat acquired Butler for Hassan Whiteside's expiring deal, Josh Richardson (now back with Miami) and a conditional pick. They've lost out, but they'll also be in the mix again whenever another star becomes available.

Just not the two stars they wanted most.