Miami Heat Were Reportedly Not Interested In Signing Damian Lillard

Lillard had the Heat as his preferred destination after asking to be traded by the Blazers in 2023. After months of negotiations, he ended up with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he ended up being a part of two consecutive first-round exits surrounded by unfortunate injuries.

This time around, the Heat didn't have any roster spots available when he shockingly became available after being waived by the Bucks earlier this month. However, after completing the trade for Norman Powell, where the Heat sent out two players, a roster spot opened up.

At the $14 million per season he'll be earning, the Heat did technically have a pathway towards matching that amount with their non-taxpayer mid-level exception available to them. Even so, with the Heat slightly over the luxury tax threshold already, signing Lillard to that amount would have put them over the first apron and just below the second.

Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 58 games for the Bucks last season before missing the final 14 games due to blood clotting issues. He eventually returned in Game 2 of their first round Playoff series, but tore his achilles tendon in Game 4.

MORE MIAMI HEAT STORIES

Ex-Miami Heat Player Believes Pat Riley's "Not Done" In Free Agency

How The Miami Heat Can Clear The Way To Sign Luka Doncic In 2026

Longtime Miami Heat Target Makes His Free Agent Decision

Once again, the Miami Heat find themselves losing out on Damian Lillard. After being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard decided he will be signing with the team he spent 11 of his 13 NBA seasons with, the Portland Trail Blazers.

At about $14 million per season, the Heat did technically have a pathway towards matching that amount with their non-taxpayer mid-level exception available to them, as well as the open roster spot generated from the Norman Powell trade. However, with the Heat slightly over the luxury tax threshold already, signing Lillard to that amount would have put them over the first apron and just below the second.

It is not known yet how much the Heat did or didn't offer Lillard, but they were reportedly interested in pursuing the star guard they missed out in the summer of 2023.

Lillard, 35, averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 58 games for the Bucks last season before missing the final 14 games due to blood clotting issues. He eventually returned in Game 2 of their first round Playoff series, but tore his achilles tendon in Game 4.

The Bucks, feeling the pressure of potentially losing their franchise player Giannis Antetokounmpo after a five-game first round series, lacked the necessary assets to make upgrades. What they chose to do instead was waive and stretch Damian Lillard's contract in order to free up the cap space to sign Myles Turner.