Miami Heat Have To Do Whatever It Takes To Trade For Damian Lillard

acquire All-Star guard Damian Lillard. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

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The Miami Heat are backed into a corner.

The defending Eastern Conference champions have gotten off to a slow start this offseason. Their two biggest free agents — Gabe Vincent and Max Strus — have already left for other teams. Meanwhile, the Heat have barely made a dent through the first two days of free agency, with their reunion with former swingman Josh Richardson emerging as their biggest signing thus far.

But there’s hope — because Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has finally requested a trade. According to Chris Haynes of TNT and Bleacher Report, the seven-time All-Star guard finally wants out after 11 seasons in Portland.

It wasn’t long after that Haynes reported that Jimmy Butler has been stressing to people within the organization that Lillard is his No. 1 target.

“Miami has been waiting for this domino to fall and will quickly engage with Portland in trying to get a deal done, sources say,” writes Haynes. “Heat star Jimmy Butler has relayed to the team that Lillard is his No. 1 target, sources say.”

There’s simply no arguing it or postponing the idea at this point — the Heat need to make a move for Lillard.

If Miami wants to remain a contender, the Heat can’t continue relying on Butler to carry the load in order to maximize their roster of overachievers. For the past four years, Butler has led the Heat franchise to unexpected heights, with two Finals appearances to show for it.

But after just two days of free agency, the Heat look significantly weaker without their third-best player in the playoffs (Vincent) and their fifth-leading scorer (Strus) heading into the 2023-24 season. It doesn’t help matters that their biggest rival — the Boston Celtics — acquired former All-Star big man Kristaps Porzingis and now feature a three-headed monster along with All-Star swingmen Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Haynes proposed a possible trade package from the Heat, which would center around the likes of Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson in exchange for Lillard and possibly the deal of big man Jusuf Nurkic, who has three years and $55 million remaining on his contract.

“The Heat are prepared to offer a package centered around Tyler Herro, with possibly Duncan Robinson and picks, sources say,” writes Haynes. “The Heat would prefer to keep Caleb Martin out of any trade scenarios. Portland could try to include Jusuf Nurkić in a deal, sources say.”

Those aforementioned picks would likely be the first-round picks the Heat own during the 2028 and 2030 NBA Drafts.

In a potential deal unloading Robinson/Herro in exchange for Lillard/Nurkic, the Heat would inherit over $62 million in current deals for the upcoming season, with $48 million going out. That would place them at $195 million in post-trade cap total, with the first tax apron for the upcoming season being set at $172,346,000 and the second tax apron set at $182,794,000.

If it’s just Lillard involved without Nurkic, their post-trade cap total is at a more feasible $178 million.

In other words, the Heat would be paying a hefty tax bill if they’re forced to acquire Nurkic in the deal.

Even if the Heat are forced to pay a hefty tax bill, it likely won’t deter Miami from acquiring Lillard the way that it deterred them from trading for Bradley Beal. While Beal has struggled to remain healthy in recent years, Lillard is playing better than ever, averaging a career-high 32.2 points per game on 46.3% from the field last season while garnering All-NBA honors.

It also doesn’t hurt that Lillard has just two years remaining on his deal while he’s playing at an All-NBA level. Meanwhile, the injury-prone and declining Beal has four years left on his contract.

The Heat have no choice heading into next season. If they stand pat, their destined to be fighting for a playoff spot with little chance to advance past the likes of the Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks.

If they acquire Lillard, they have their own three-headed monster with Butler and Adebayo to match up with the likes of the Celtics and the Bucks — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday.

It’s simple — the Heat acquiring Lillard will determine whether or not Miami is a contender next season.

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