Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Kyle Lowry, G Tyler Herro, 2023 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2026 First-Round Pick (Swap – MIA), 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2028 First-Round Pick (Swap – MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Damian Lillard
In fact, if one team in the NBA personifies Lillard’s mentality, it may be the Miami Heat.
Other teams show a willingness to exploit the NBA’s lottery system. If they’re not close to a championship, they’ll ship out their best players for first-round picks to bottom out and maximize their lottery odds. In other words, they’ll tank.
The Heat had every opportunity to do so when LeBron James left the organization in 2015. They declined them. Instead, they forged ahead and stayed as competitive as possible.
Meanwhile, the results have been encouraging. The Heat haven’t won a title since James’ departure, but they made the NBA Finals in 2019-20, and the Eastern Conference Finals last season.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
In any given season, you can’t count the Heat out.
Does landing Lillard put them back in contention for a title in 2022-23?
