With the Portland Trail Blazers failing to make the NBA playoffs, talk of Damian Lillard leaving has begun again. Now in his mid-30s, the All-Star guard is running out of time to compete for a title at his peak.
This season, Lillard showed he is still one of the top point guards in the NBA. In 58 games, he averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. Lillard also etched his name in the history books when he erupted for 71 points in one night.
If Lillard does decide to request a trade from Portland, multiple NBA teams will be lining up to make an offer. During a recent episode of The Hoop Collective Podcast, ESPN’s Brian Windhorst touched on the Miami Heat being a team to watch.
“I think the Heat are on the cusp of looking for another star maneuver,” said Brian Windhorst on his podcast. “I would put them on the list for Dame Lillard if Dame ends up getting traded. If he goes to market, I think the Heat are on that list. I don’t know if they have enough.
Windhorst explained: “A lot of their offer would be built around Tyler Herro, who was just injured. I suspect, I don’t know for sure, just to be clear, I don’t know for sure if they’re going to offer him, but I suspect that would be the type of thing. That and draft picks.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
When stars become available, the Miami Heat always seem to wind up in the mix. In terms of competing for a championship, they have a lot to offer someone like Lillard.
Even if Tyler Herro is sent to the Trail Blazers in the deal, Miami still has the talent to be a force in the Eastern Conference. Adding Lillard to the duo of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would give the Heat arguably one of the best trios in the league.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
Like Lillard, Jimmy Butler is running out of time to contend while still at his peak. Given their mutual interest in winning a championship, the two could help each other in that quest.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here.
