Heat’s chances of adding 20 ppg scorer spoiled while waiting on Damian Lillard trade

On Sept. 11, NBA insider Marc Stein revealed several teams across the league expected Oubre to ultimately land with the Heat once their quest to acquire Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard proved successful. 

Oubre, who scored a career-high 20.2 PPG in 48 games for the Charlotte Hornets last season, would have proven an ideal plug-and-play solution to a potential roster-gutting trade for Lillard. Especially for a Miami Heat team that finished last in scoring with 109.5 PPG in 2022-23. 

Ultimately, Miami's chances of adding Oubre were spoiled by the standstill they found themselves in with Portland. 

According to ESPN's Brian Windhorst, the Blazers are seeking a trade haul similar to the package the Brooklyn Nets received from the Phoenix Suns for Kevin Durant. 

Speaking on the "Hoop Collective" podcast on Monday, Windhorst said Portland wants the Heat to "literally scrounge into every nook and cranny and produce everything they possibly can."  

While Marc J. Spears of ESPN has reported that a "mystery Eastern Conference team" has emerged in the pursuit of Lillard, the Heat likely aren't sweating it. Lillard's been extremely adamant that he wants to play in Miami, to the point that it's believed he's only willing to attend training camp as either a member of the Blazers or the Heat, per The Athletic's Shams Charania.  

Expect Portland to hold their ground as it's not every day a team gets the possibility of rebuilding on the fly by offloading a seven-time All-Star. However, the Heat likely won't budge much on their offer to the Blazers as Lillard's trade preference plays in their favor.