This is the slow part of the NBA offseason. At the moment, all we have is rumors. Meanwhile,. one rumor stands above the rest. You know exactly what we’re talking about, don’t you?
Sure, James Harden wants to leave the Philadelphia 76ers. The Toronto Raptors may trade Pascal Siakam. These are potentially league-altering situations. Still, Damian Lillard’s impending departure from the Portland Trail Blazers stands as the most significant rumor around the league.
As you surely know, Lillard wants to go to the Miami Heat. Perhaps he will. On the other hand, it may prove difficult for the Heat to make a compelling offer for Lillard. We’ll explore that possibility, but we’re also going to look at some fallback options for Miami. Here are three trades they need to consider.
Trade No. 1 – Heat Acquire Damian Lillard From Portland Trail Blazers
Brooklyn Nets Receive: G Tyler Herro, G/F Duncan Robinson
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: F/C Ben Simmons, G/F Jaime Jaquez Jr., 2025 First-Round Pick (PHX via BKN), 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2027 First-Round Pick (PHI via BKN), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Damian Lillard
There are several hiccups in a Lillard-to-Miami exchange. Among them is the fact that the Blazers are seemingly uninterested in Tyler Herro. That makes sense. Between Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe, and Anfernee Simons, this team has a plethora of talented young guards.
By contrast, the Nets don’t. This team could use a guard who can create his own shot. Meanwhile, they owe their own draft capital to the Houston Rockets through to 2027. With no incentive to tank, the Nets might as well move a bad contract and a couple of picks for a player at a position of need.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Miami Heat, Damian Lillard & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Meanwhile, as a rebuilding team, Portland should be shy about absorbing Simmons’ deal. Finally, the Heat get their guy. If this is going to work out this summer, it’s likely to look like this. Otherwise, Miami may need to start looking at a Plan B.
Trade No. 2 – Heat Acquire Terry Rozier From Charlotte Hornets
Charlotte Hornets Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, F/C Kevin Love, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Terry Rozier
Just a short time ago, the Hornets were at the forefront of NBA rumors. They had the second pick in the draft. What would they do with it? The Hornets could have selected one of Scoot Henderson or Brandon Miller or traded the pick for a star wing.
The Hornets made their decision. They selected Brandon Miller. In the end, it seems that they didn’t think it would be wise to pair LaMelo Ball with a ball-dominant guard like Henderson. Here’s the funny part, Boll is already paired with a ball-dominant guard.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Miami Heat, Terry Rozier & Charlotte Hornets Updates
Here, we’ve got the Hornets rectifying that. They can begin to build their offense of the future around Ball and Rozier, and they’ll have an extra first-round pick to show for it. Meanwhile, the Nets get their new starting point guard. On the other hand, that’s not the only need this team could stand to satisfy.
Trade No. 3 – Heat Acquire P.J. Tucker From Philadelphia 76ers
Philadelphia 76ers Receive: G/F Duncan Robinson, 2026 Second-Round Pick (LAL via MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: F PJ Tucker, G/F Furkan Korkmaz
Sure, the Heat could have used some guard depth in these NBA playoffs. In the Finals, they could have used some depth at the 4 as well. Quite frankly, this team never properly replaced PJ Tucker when he left them.
So…why not acquire Tucker? He could have been perfect for this team against the Denver Nuggets. At times, the Heat had a difficult choice to make. Kevin Love was big enough to handle Aaron Gordon, but too slow to be useful in containing Nikola Jokic. Caleb Martin is extremely agile, but he’s too small to contain Gordon.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Miami Heat, PJ Tucker & Philadelphia 76ers Updates
Granted, Tucker is short for a 4. Still, he’s used his low centre of gravity and strength to make up for that height deficit – even starting at the 5 for the Houston Rockets once. All told, he’d be a great acquisition for the Heat – even if it’s not the hottest rumor in the NBA.
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