The Miami Heat came up just short of their goal of an NBA Championship, falling flat in their NBA Finals matchup against the Denver Nuggets. With hopes of taking that final step next season, they are reportedly focused on bringing in an impact player this offseason to pair alongside their solid core of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
Perennial All-Star point guard Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers haven’t had much success in recent years, failing to reach the postseason each of the last two seasons.
This has led to rumors that the team is interested in trading Lillard. While it is unclear whether or not the Trail Blazers are interested in doing that, it appears the Heat would be suitors if they do decide to shop him.
TNT’s Chris Haynes reported Sunday that Miami’s focus this offseason is on bringing in Lillard. Haynes added that the Heat believe this is the offseason that Lillard seeks a change of scenery.
Miami’s focus is Portland superstar Damian Lillard with the genuine belief this could be the offseason the veteran guard seeks a change of scenery, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 18, 2023
Lillard hasn’t exactly asked out of Portland just yet, but he has made it clear that he does not want to go through a rebuild with the organization.
"I don't really have an appetite for building and guys two and three years away from really going after it… I want a chance to go for it and if the route is to do that then that's not my route."- Damian Lillard today on building a team around the draft. pic.twitter.com/r6fy32IXia
— Brenna Greene (@BrennaGreene_) April 9, 2023
The Heat could certainly benefit from adding Lillard. They had a number of guards, such as Kyle Lowry and Gabe Vincent, who performed admirably in the NBA Finals. That being said, you have to wonder how the Heat would have fared against Denver with Lillard on the team.
