The Miami Heat have been keeping tabs on Damian Lillard for quite a while now. However, it doesnāt seem like the Portland Trail Blazers will ever agree to trade him to his preferred destination.
The league even sent a memo about a potential Lillard trade to South Beach. The Heat will need to one-up their offer for the multi-time All-Star, but it seems unlikely at this point.
With that in mind, Bleacher Reportās NBA staff put together a trade idea to try and revamp their roster. In this scenario, theyād trade for Utah Jazzās rising star, Lauri Markkanen.
NBA Rumors: Heat Could Trade For Lauri Markkanen
(via Bleacher Report)
āMiami Heat Receive: Lauri Markkanen
Utah Jazz Receive: Jaime Jaquez Jr., Duncan Robinson, 2024 first-round pick* (top-one protection), 2028 first-round pick (top-three protection)
Markkanen is an out-there target. The Jazz havenāt given any inclination theyād move him. That tracks. He is only 26, just earned an All-Star selection and has two years left on his deal at the bargain rate of $35.3 million.
There is still value in exploring sell-high scenarios. Utah is building for years down the line, not just the next two or three. (ā¦) He can fill the frontcourt spot next to Bam Adebayo or absorb minutes at the 3, and his offense is a unique hybrid of one part self-sustaining, two parts play-finishing around his surroundings.
Three firsts is a huge price to pay, but Markkanenās worth it. The Heat are also keeping Tyler Herro and getting out of Robinsonās deal (three years, $57.5 million)āwhich doesnāt look so bad this side of the 2023 playoffs but is also miles from asset territory.ā
see also
NBA News: Damian Lillard could get historic suspension
Of course, this is just an idea, and it doesnāt mean this is going to happen. Then again, it wouldnāt be far-fetched to think that the Heat could eventually move on from the Lillard saga and explore different avenues to bolster their roster.
