Heat have multiple paths to trading for Damian Lillard?

Dec 16, 2019; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Heat may have to get creative if they want to acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers, but there are apparently several paths they could take to land the All-Star point guard.

In a roundtable discussion examining some of the biggest NBA storylines of the summer, ESPN’s Marc Spears predicted that Lillard will wind up in Miami before the start of the 2023-24 season. The NBA insider reiterated that Lillard “wants to play for Miami and only Miami.” While the Blazers have not been interested in what the Heat have had to offer, Spears says there are several other teams willing to get involved in the deal.

“I’m told that while Portland isn’t happy with potential packages, there are over five teams interested in a potential multiteam trade that could get it done,” Spears wrote. “It won’t be today or tomorrow or perhaps the next day, but I believe it will ultimately end up with Lillard going to Miami. While Lillard does not have a no-trade clause, it doesn’t make sense to trade for a future Hall of Famer who doesn’t want to be there.”

The Blazers have no interest in Tyler Herro, whose $120 million contract would likely have to be included in any trade for Lillard. That is one of the reasons a third team is needed, but Spears believes finding one won’t be a major issue.

We know of at least one team that could become part of the Lillard-to-Miami mix, but it makes sense for the Trail Blazers to take their time to assure they are getting maximum return.