Heat Named Leader to Land $112.5 Million Superstar at Monster Value

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Max Dible | Last updated Jul 1, 2025 3:54 PM ET

The Miami Heat have been in a rough place since Jimmy Butler forced his way out of town and the franchise limped into the first round Eastern Conference playoffs as the No. 8 seed, only to be promptly bounced by the Cleveland Cavaliers in four straight games.

But things have been looking up for the franchise since, starting with Lithuanian guard and former Illinois star Kasparas Jakucionis inexplicably falling to Miami at No. 20 in the NBA draft.

"Not only did the Heat get the No. 10 player on my big board, they also got a player who fills a roster void and fits their culture and style of play perfectly," ESPN's Jonathan Givony wrote on June 28. "Jakucionis (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) has the ball-handling and playmaking ability to offer much-needed shot creation in the backcourt, but he also is big enough to operate off the ball alongside All-Star combo guard Tyler Herro."

Now, just days later, another elite guard is positioned to fall into Miami's lap.

The Milwaukee Bucks made the jaw-dropping decision to waive superstar guard Damian Lillard and stretch the remaining $112.5 million on his contract over the next five years. Milwaukee's call came on Tuesday, July 1 -- the second day of free agency -- just over two months after Lillard tore his Achilles tendon during the team's first-round playoff series against the eventual Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers.

"League sources say Lillard is elated with this decision, as it puts him in the kind of basketball-first position that few All-Star-level players, if any, have experienced in league history," Sam Amick, John Hollinger, Eric Nehm and Tobias Bass of The Athletic reported. "In short, he’ll be able to join the contending team of his choosing, either sometime soon or perhaps next summer, without the financial aspect of the decision playing a significant part."

The Athletic added that several teams reached out to Lillard immediately following the news, and presumably the Heat were among them based on a report from Tim Reynolds of the Associated Press.

The Heat -- this is no surprise -- are expected to have interest in Damian Lillard, who very surprisingly now holds a lot of cards he didn't expect to hold.
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) July 1, 2025

"The Heat -- this is no surprise -- are expected to have interest in Damian Lillard, who very surprisingly now holds a lot of cards he didn't expect to hold," Reynolds posted to X.

NBA insider Chris Haynes, who reported via his X account on Tuesday that two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo was unhappy with the Bucks' decision on Lillard, offered another report later in the day naming the Heat as frontrunners for Lillard's services along with his former team, the Portland Trail Blazers.

"Look out for the Miami Heat…Throw Portland in there as well.”

— Chris Haynes on which teams are interested in Damian Lillard.

(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)

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— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 1, 2025