In the wake of Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard requesting a trade to the Miami Heat, one NBA writer has come up with a way for Lillard to land in Miami next to Jimmy Butler.
Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed that the Heat trade Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., a 2026 first-round pick swap, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 first-round pick swap and a 2029 first-round pick swap to the Blazers for Lillard and Jusuf Nurkic.
“Pat Riley and the rest of that front office loves star-hunting, and a trio of Lillard, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would instantly be one of the NBA’s best,” Bailey wrote. “The Heat just made the Finals with the latter two, and plugging Lillard’s deep three-point shooting and overall offensive ability into Lowry’s spot would’ve made them a real threat to win the title.
“Having Jusuf Nurkic in the deal too would give Miami the backup big it desperately needed against the Denver Nuggets.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
Lillard “remains unwavering” that he only wants to play for the Heat, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herland. The seven-time All-Star is very close friends with Miami All-Star center Bam Adebayo.
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists this past season for the Blazers. The Heat, who have reached two NBA Finals since Butler came to Miami in 2019, believe they can win it all next season with Lillard in the fold next to Butler and Adebayo.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers & Miami Heat Updates
The Heat are 0-2 in the NBA Finals in the Butler-Adebayo era, which started in 2019-20. The team is missing a scorer and playmaker like Lillard, who has career averages of 25.2 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists. Butler has also told Hall of Famer Pat Riley that he wants Lillard on the Heat, so now it’s up to Riley to get a deal done.
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