If you’re an NBA fan, you’ve read about it. You’ve talked about it. In all likelihood, you know what we’re talking about. Damian Lillard has requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. By all accounts, he wants to join the Miami Heat.
This saga has defined the NBA’s offseason. Everyone is anticipating the news. Surely, you’ve got your favourite NBA insider’s notifications turned on – whatever you call the app in question. You’re patiently waiting for the news.
It may not even happen. Recently, more suitors have emerged in the rumur mill. Lillard has apparently drawn interest from the Toronto Raptors and the Chicago Bulls. Time will tell whether he actually lands on the Heat. Here’s the best offer that Miami can make for him.
The Trade Proposal
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: G Tyler Herro, G/F Duncan Robinson, G/F Jaimie Jacquez, 2027 First-Round Pick (MIA), 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: G Damian Lillard
Of course, this is part of the problem. This is the best offer that Miami can make. It’s not necessarily the best offer on the market. That’s exactly why Lillard isn’t already a member of the Heat.
Think about it. The Raptors could make a number of stronger offers than this one. They could offer Scottie Barnes, and some would suggest that the Blazers get more value from that offer as a starting point. Alternatively, the Raptors could offer O.G. Anunoby. Plenty of analysts would hold that he’s more valuable than Herro – and, the Raptors have more draft capital to offer as well.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, & Miami Heat Updates
With that said, Lillard seems intent on joining the Heat. If it’s true that Lillard would only join Miami, than other teams will be hesitant to acquire Lillard in the first place. Could the Blazers really settle on this package?
Why The Portland Trail Blazers Do The Deal
There seems to be another sticking point in negotiations here. Apparently, the Blazers aren’t interested in Herro. On a surface level, that makes sense. With Scoot Henderson, Shaedon Sharpe and Anfernee Simons on the roster, the Blazers have a surplus of young backcourt talent.
OK. The Blazers can make other trades. If Lillard is really squashing his own market, they might as well take Herro on. If Portland made this deal now, they could flip Hero by this year’s deadline. For that matter, they could move Simons too. The Blazers are rebuilding – right now, all they have to do is stockpile assets.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, & Miami Heat Updates
Meanwhile, Herro isn’t the only asset that the Blazers are landing here. Jacquez is a soon-to-be rookie with plenty of upside. Meanwhile, the Blazers are still getting a pair of first-round picks here. Should the Heat give so much up for Lillard?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Absolutely. Let’s just get this over with. The Heat want Lillard. Lillard wants to go to the Heat. It’s time to get a deal done. If nothing else, we all need to start talking about something else.
Besides, the Heat don’t seem to need Herro anyway. This team just made the NBA Finals with him on the injury report. If they added Lillard, they might be title favourites. Realistically, that’s why their interest in him is an open secret..
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers, & Miami Heat Updates
There’s no counterargument here. The Heat are a Finalist adding a superstar. They shouldn’t cling to their daft capital, and they shouldn’t mind parting with Herro. All told, the Heat can’t turn this deal down. Now, all they have to do is go ahead and make it.
Want the latest in NBA analysis, breaking news, and insider information? Click Here. Follow NBA Analysis Network on Twitter and Facebook.
