NBA Trades: This Blazers, Heat, 76ers, and Clippers swap would alter NBA
By Cal Durrett
NBA Trades: Would the Miami Heat agree to the trade?
After losing in the NBA Finals for the second time in four seasons, the Heat entered the offseason looking for some star power. In this proposal, they would certainly get it in Lillard, but it would cost them a lot. They have already lost two starters and a rotation player in Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, and Cody Zeller from last season’s team.
This trade would also cost them Herro, Jaquez, two firsts, and two seconds, though they would add Lillard to the core of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo, and Caleb Martin that helped the Heat make the Finals. Giving up that many assets for a soon-to-be 34-year-old is a risk, but they are no longer in a position to run them back, and Lillard would raise their ceiling.
After being the two best teams in the East in the playoffs without Lillard, they could very well be the best team in the Conference with him. Whether that gives them the edge in a potential rematch against the Denver Nuggets is less clear, but it should definitely improve their chances. After coming so close to a title last season, even a small improvement may be enough to get them over the hump, and Lillard would be more than a small improvement.