One of the best talents in the NBA, Damian Lillard is coming off one of the best statistical seasons of his career (32.2 PPG, third most in the NBA).
Although Lillard played exceptionally well this season, the Trail Blazers (33-49) fell short, finishing 13th in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs for the second straight season.
Rumors of a trade with Lilliard have flared recently due to the Trail Blazers’ conflicts and desire to compete for a championship. The Miami Heat is a potential landing spot for the 11-year-old veteran, W.J the athleteLillard has a “serious interest” in heading to Florida.
The Lillard to the Heat deal would benefit both teams.
Lillard has been hailed as one of the NBA’s most loyal players, but he’s approaching his twelfth season in the NBA without any NBA Finals appearances. His championship window will close if he can’t land on a better team soon.
Joining the Eastern Conference champion Heat would give Lillard an immediate shot at a title. The Heat have reached the NBA Finals two of the past four seasons and are renowned for a culture built on intense mental toughness and hard work from every member of the organization.
Lillard may be the key piece the Heat need to finally win a championship in the Jimmy Butler era. In their most recent NBA Finals appearance, the Heat lost to the Lakers (2019-20) and the Nuggets (this season) and fell to the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2021-22. If it had an offensive weapon like Lillard, Miami might have won at least one of those series.
With Butler turning 34 in September, Miami’s championship window may be closing with that core as well. The Heat must compete on everything with a superstar like Lillard to win now.
The trade will benefit the Trail Blazers in the long run. The assets Portland would acquire in a trade could allow them to build a competitive roster around promising young talents Scoot Henderson, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2023 NBA draft, and Shaedon Sharpe. Both players have stellar potential.
The Trail Blazers will struggle for a few seasons, but they’re already amazing with one of the best talents in the game in Lillard.
Bottom line: Dealing Dame is the best for him and the Trail Blazers family. He must request a trade for Miami before it’s too late