Source: Heat Weren’t Interested In Signing Damian Lillard

The Miami Heat were not interested in signing Damian Lillard, a league source told Hoops Wire. 

When Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers in 2023, he wanted to get traded to the Heat.

However, Portland and Miami couldn’t agree to a deal. 

Lillard played two seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks before getting waived this offseason. The future Hall of Famer is signing a three-year, $42 million deal to return to the Trail Blazers. 

Lillard is expected to miss all of next season rehabbing his torn left Achilles tendon. The Heat didn’t want to pay Lillard to rehab and not play, the league source said. 

Lillard played in 58 games for the Bucks last season. He averaged 24.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 7.1 assists while shooting 44.8% from the field, 37.6% from beyond the arc and 92.1% from the free-throw line. 

A top 75 player of all time, Lillard has made nine All-Star teams and seven All-NBA teams. He won the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year Award with the Trail Blazers. 

Lillard has career averages of 25.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists with the Trail Blazers and Bucks. He’s fourth in NBA history in 3-point field goals.