Heat Have Serious Interest In Signing Damian Lillard, Would Pursue Bradley Beal If He Gets Bought Out By Suns

The Miami Heat have serious interest in signing Damian Lillard, according to Marc Stein and Jake Fischer of The Stein Line. 

Lillard was waived and stretched by the Milwaukee Bucks, so he’s an unrestricted free agent. The future Hall of Famer wanted to get traded to the Heat in 2023, but the Portland Trail Blazers traded him to the Bucks. 

The Phoenix Suns and Heat talked about a Bradley Beal trade, but talks ultimately collapsed. If the Suns and Beal agreed to a buyout, Miami will pursue the former Washington Wizards star. 

“The Heat, meanwhile, have serious interest in signing Lillard as well as exploring the prospect of adding a bought-out Beal,” Stein and Fischer wrote. “Yet it’s fair to wonder why Lillard would be looking to sign quickly with any team unless he’s searching for organizational support as he rehabs from his own Achilles tear.

“Our good friend Chris Haynes reported Thursday evening that Lillard is indeed in no rush to make any decision about his future despite receiving plenty of interest from the Heat and several other teams.”

The Cleveland Cavaliers swept the Heat in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. Jimmy Butler requested a trade from Miami and was traded to the Golden State Warriors in February.