Report: This Portland Trailblazers and Miami Heat trade feature Damian Lillard and Tyler Herro. Does trading for Lillard improve the Heat?

The Eastern Conference is loaded with competent teams that are good enough to compete for the playoffs. From the number one seeded Chicago Bulls to the 12th seeded Atlanta Hawks, almost every team in the East has a good enough argument to make the playoffs this season. 

Unlike the Hawks, the Heat are one of the elite teams in the East as they currently rank third in the conference with a record of 26-15. The Heat have been great this season as their additions of Kyle Lowry and P.J Tucker have elevated Miami on both ends of the court. Miami is currently sixth in offensive and defensive rating, according to NBA.com. 

This season, Miami is an elite team and should be considered a contender in the Eastern Conference. While staying as the third seed may not be sustainable due to how competitive the East is, they are definitely a top-six-seeded team in their conference, which may not be enough as they are trying to win an NBA championship centred around Jimmy Butler. 

In the last few seasons, the Heat have emerged as an unexpected organization as they have proven to be better than what they were supposed to be. When Butler joined the Heat in the summer of 2019, it was an odd decision by the former All-Star. However, Butler has led a team of underdogs and unexpected talent into making the playoffs every season since joining the organization while making his first NBA Finals appearance in 2020. 

The Heat are a championship contender in the Eastern Conference but are not considered the favourites in making the Finals in the East. The Brooklyn Nets and Chicago Bulls are currently the faces of the East and are probable favourites in reaching the Eastern Conference Finals. With the NBA having no clear favourite in winning the championship this season, the Heat have the opportunity of becoming the favourites by trading for Damian Lillard. 

During the 2021 NBA off-season, Lillard was one of many players to express their frustrations with their organization while hinting at the possibility of requesting a trade. However, Lillard decided to give Portland another chance by staying with the organization to start the 2021-22 season. Lillard’s name was constantly in the media during this period as rumors of possible trade scenarios were circulating across the internet. While some were merely rumors, other developing stories about what teams are interested in trading for Lillard ended up being true. According to an article written by Kenneth Teape of the ‘NBA Analysis Network,’ it was revealed that the Heat was one of the favourites in landing Lillard if Portland made him available for trades. 

While the Heat was interested in Lillard, Butler’s ideal choice at the point guard position was Lowry making Lillard’s rumors of joining the Heat coming to a quick close. However, with the Heat now establishing that they are a true contender in the Eastern Conference, a trio of Butler, Lillard, and Bam Adebayo could arguably be the best trio in the NBA! Although Lowry has championship experience while being an elite playmaker and solid defender at his position, the scoring potential that Lillard would bring to the Heat would make Miami dangerous as they lack a natural scorer. Despite Lillard having a mediocre shooting season to his standards, a new scenery might be an answer to his early-season struggles. 

Lillard’s struggles this season has lowered his trade value in the NBA as he is currently 31-years-old on a super-max contract. While Lillard is still a desirable player for contenders to consider trading for, it will most likely be easier to trade for Lillard, given his below-average season. In terms of what the Heat would have to offer to trade for Lillard successfully, the following trade proposal would have to occur. 

Miami receives- Damian Lillard.

Portland receives- Kyle Lowry, Tyler Herro, KZ Okpala, Omer Yurtseven, 2024 and 2027 unprotected first-round picks and an unprotected 2028 second-round pick. 

When assessing the age, contract and recent struggles, Lillard’s value is considerably lower than it was during the 2021 off-season. During the off-season, the type of trade rumors that were shown required a lot more assets to trade him successfully. However, this package is still great as the Blazers receive a veteran point guard in Lowry, a great prospect with All-Star potential in Tyler Herro, a rising player in the NBA who has shown great potential at the center position in Omer Yurtseven, and valuable draft picks. For the Heat, they receive a superstar point guard in Lillard that would elevate their scoring potential in the regular season and playoffs. Scoring the basketball is one of the weaker parts of the Heat play style come playoff time, making this trade suitable to their needs. 

Despite this trade improving the starting line-up for the Heat, their bench suffers as Herro is currently the front-runner of winning the sixth man of the year award. Herro is also one of the best young players in the NBA today and can be a 25 PPG type player in the future. This is something that the Heat would have to consider when trading for Lillard, as Herro would have to be a part of this deal. The purpose of trading Lillard for the Blazers would be to get younger, making Herro a mandatory asset to be traded away. Additionally, the draft picks included in this trade would hinder the future of Miami as it goes as far as 2028! 

The Heat should consider trading for Lillard as it would elevate their chances at winning a championship. With Butler and Lillard still being in their primes, the future of Miami would be elite as they would have the potential of winning many championships for years to come!

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