The Miami Heat could sign small forward Kelly Oubre Jr., according to NBA insider Marc Stein. However, the Heat are going to try to trade for Portland Trail Blazers superstar point guard Damian Lillard first.
“Multiple teams I’ve spoken to recently expect free agent swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. to ultimately land with the Miami Heat … provided that the Heat are ultimately successful in their quest to trade for Portland’s Damian Lillard,” Stein wrote.
Oubre Jr. appeared in 48 games for the Charlotte Hornets last season. He averaged 20.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.1 assists while shooting 43.1% from the field, 31.9% from beyond the arc and 76.0% from the free-throw line.
The 27-year-old Oubre Jr. has career averages of 12.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.0 assists with the Washington Wizards, Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Hornets. It will be interesting to see if the lefty lands with the Heat.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kelly Oubre Jr., Miami Heat Updates
Lillard still wants the Blazers to trade him to the Heat despite the NBA’s initiative to warn Lillard and his agent that any further comments made “suggesting Lillard will not fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade” will be subject to discipline, according to NBA insider Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Lillard is close friends with Heat center Bam Adebayo and believes he can win an NBA championship in Miami playing alongside Jimmy Butler and Adebayo. The Heat have been working on a trade package for Lillard of expiring contracts, three to four first-round picks and one of the team’s younger players, with Herro going to a third team. The deal could potentially also involve second-rounders and draft pick swaps.
Lillard requested to be traded from the Blazers to only the Heat on July 1. He has spent all 11 seasons of his NBA career with Portland, which selected him with the sixth pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. The Blazers finished 33-49 and 13th in the Western Conference last season.
Lillard expressed his frustration with the Blazers in recent years for failing to construct a roster capable of making a title push. The Weber State product felt the time was now to request a trade after coming off a career season. Lillard was upset the Blazers didn’t trade the third overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft for a star player. Portland drafted Scoot Henderson, who plays the same position as Lillard, with the third pick.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Kelly Oubre Jr., Miami Heat Updates
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists last season for the Blazers. He will make $46.6 million next season. The future Hall of Famer signed a two-year, $121.8 million extension with Portland in July 2022.
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