3 Realistic moves the Miami Heat must make if they fail to land Damian Lillard

Realistic Heat Move #1: Trade Duncan Robinson

Heat small forward Duncan Robinson had an up-and-down season in 2022–23 but played surprisingly well in the playoffs, helping boost his trade value. One potential trade partner could be the San Antonio Spurs, who, with 18 players under contract, have to make moves to meet the 15-man roster limit.

Although Robinson proved to be a key contributor off the bench during Miami’s NBA Finals run, looking to trade him before the start of next season would be a smart move. After all, he is owed $57.3 million over the next three seasons, and few teams would be willing to take his salary back.

The Spurs might, however since they are projected to have a massive amount of cap space next summer. Acquiring Doug McDermott and Cedi Osman from the Spurs for Robinson, a 2024 first-round pick and the Lakers’ 2026 second-round pick would allow the Heat to save nearly $40 million over the next two seasons and millions more in luxury tax.

The deal would also help fill out their thin roster by adding two shooters for the price of one. Better yet, both players are on expiring contracts for next season. That would give the Heat the flexibility to move them later in the season to try and further improve their roster, and their contracts would likely be more appealing than Robinson’s.

All in all, should they fail to land Lillard, the Heat should look to sign Wood and trade Herro and Robinson to help fill out their roster. That would give the team a sixth man in Wood, a starting point guard in Dinwiddie, a three-and-d wing in O’neale, two off-the-bench shooters in McDermott and Osman, a first-round pick, and a second-round pick. In that event, Miami would help themselves in the short term while keeping its options open in case Lillard becomes available again or another star does.