One NBA writer is proposing that the Miami Heat acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers and Gordon Hayward from the Charlotte Hornets in a blockbuster trade. Andy Bailey of Bleacher Report proposed a four-team trade between the Heat, Hornets, Orlando Magic and Blazers.
Miami Heat Receive: Damian Lillard, Gordon Hayward and Chuma Okeke
Miami Heat Lose: Kyle Lowry, Nikola Jović, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Haywood Highsmith, a 2028 first-round pick and a 2030 first-round pick
“Despite losing five players and only getting three back, the Heat would be left with an eight-man rotation that includes Lillard, Josh Richardson, Jimmy Butler, Hayward, Bam Adebayo, Caleb Martin, Kevin Love and Thomas Bryant,” Bailey wrote in his latest NBA trade column. “If Jaime Jaquez Jr. were NBA-ready right off the bat, even better. That group’s title window might not be open for long, but it would be wide-open in 2023-24. Given Butler’s ability to drag two teams to the NBA Finals within the last four years, he’s earned a win-now move like this.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets Updates
“Lillard led the league in offensive estimated plus-minus last season. With the defensive attention he’d pull away from Butler and vice versa, Miami would suddenly have one of the NBA’s more dynamic attacks. Frontcourt playmaking from Adebayo and Hayward would help, too. And Richardson providing a little floor spacing is a nice bow on top of everything.”
Lillard averaged 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds and 7.3 assists for the Blazers last season. He has requested a trade and only wants to get traded to the Heat.
Meanwhile, Hayward averaged 14.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists for the Hornets last season. The 33-year-old will make $31.5 million next season and become an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2024.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Gordon Hayward, Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, Miami Heat, Charlotte Hornets Updates
The Heat could start Lillard, Hayward, Caleb Martin, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo next season if Miami’s front office figured out a way to acquire Lillard from Portland and Hayward from Charlotte.
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