The Miami Heat offered Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson and several first-round picks to the Washington Wizards for Bradley Beal, according to NBA insiders David Aldridge and Josh Robbins of The Athletic.
While Beal was open to getting traded to the Heat, he wound up waiving his no-trade clause to go to the Phoenix Suns, who sent the Wizards Chris Paul, Landry Shamet and draft picks.
Miami has shifted its focus to Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard. According to Chris Haynes of Bleacher Report and TNT, there is a genuine belief that this could be the offseason Lillard leaves Portland.
A future Hall of Famer, Lillard signed a two-year, $121.8 million maximum veteran extension in July 2022. Portland general manager Joe Cronin told Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports that he wants to maximize Lillard’s timeline, but the Blazers have to be willing to move the third pick in the 2023 NBA Draft.
“We’re a team that’s trying to win and trying to maximize Damian’s timeline. This was an important night for us,” Cronin told Yahoo Sports. “Front offices around the league think highly of this draft, so you would think that a lot of teams that were sitting (on stage) tonight will be getting a lot of calls from teams trying to move up and maneuver.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards & Miami Heat Updates
If the Heat land Lillard, they will have a Big 3 of Dame, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. Miami lost the 2023 NBA Finals to the Denver Nuggets in five games, so Pat Riley wants to improve the roster so he can win another championship.
Lillard is open to getting traded to the Heat and Brooklyn Nets. The All-Star has a close relationship with Adebayo and Mikal Bridges.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards & Miami Heat Updates
It’s going to be very interesting to see where Lillard is playing next season. Some insiders believe the Weber State product will get traded this offseason, while other reporters think he will remain in Portland.
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