Miami Heat
Biggest offseason moves: Signing Josh Richardson, favorite to land Damian Lillard (?)
After making another surprising run to the NBA Finals, it’s once again become abundantly clear that the Miami Heat remain one big acquisition away from possibly getting over the top in the Eastern Conference. However, entering August, the Heat still haven’t been able to land that big move. The good news is that it kind of appears they are going to be able at some point, but it’s still no guarantee.
Damian Lillard has made it clear that he wants to be traded to the Miami Heat but up until now, there has been no traction in trade talks between the Portland Trail Blazers and Miami. We’re entering the territory in which there’s a very real chance that the Blazers could enter the regular season with Lillard still on their roster. And if that does end up happening, it would leave the Heat in a bad place.
After losing Gabe Vincent and Max Strus this offseason, there’s no question that the Heat has a worse roster at the moment. They need the Lillard deal to happen. Without knowing how it will be resolved one way or another, it’s hard to grade the team’s offseason.
Grade: INC