The Miami Heat want to acquire superstar point guard Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers and the seven-time All-Star is open to playing for the Heat if the Blazers decide to trade him. However, Miami may not have a strong enough package to acquire Lillard, according to NBA insider Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated.
Mannix is reporting that the Blazers aren’t high on Heat shooting guard Tyler Herro, who is believed to be the best player Miami could offer Portland in a trade for Lillard.
“While any trade will be a collaborative effort between the team and Lillard, the Blazers will, understandably, want the best possible return,” Mannix wrote. “Portland is lukewarm on Tyler Herro, sources told Sports Illustrated. He is entering the first year of a four-year, $130 million contract.”
Herro averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists for the Heat during the 2022-23 regular season while shooting 43.9% from the floor, 37.8% from beyond the arc and 93.4% from the free-throw line. He was third on the team in points per game, trailing only All-Stars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
The 23-year-old Herro signed a four-year, $120 million rookie contract extension with the Heat in October 2022. The Milwaukee native has career averages of 17.7 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists in 242 games with Miami. He broke his hand in the first round of the 2023 playoffs versus the Milwaukee Bucks and never came back.
The Heat lost to the Denver Nuggets in the 2023 NBA Finals in five games. Miami talked to the Washington Wizards about a Bradley Beal trade, but the Phoenix Suns acquired the All-Star shooting guard. The Heat are more interested in getting Lillard.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
It’s possible the Heat could trade Herro, point guard Kyle Lowry, sharpshooter Duncan Robinson and draft picks to the Blazers for Lillard, who averaged 32.2 points this past season. However, the Brooklyn Nets have more draft picks to offer the Blazers for Lillard, who is close with Brooklyn forward Mikal Bridges.
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