Damian Lillard traded to the Miami Heat
Heat get: Damian Lillard, Kelly Olynyk
Blazers get: Deandre Ayton, Talent Horton-Tucker, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Nikola Jovic, 2028 1st-Round Pick (via Utah), 2028 1st-Round Pick (via MIA), 2030 1st-Round Pick (via MIA)
Suns get: Jusuf Nurkic, Caleb Martin
Jazz get: Tyler Herro
This may be a deal that makes the most sense for all parties involved. Especially considering that Damian Lillard has wanted to go to the Miami Heat all along. The big question is whether the Heat and Blazers would sit down or have a conversation and negotiate with good faith. So far, there’s no evidence that suggests either side would be willing to do that. If they are, though, this is a deal that could potentially be drawn up.
The Heat would get Lillard and a contributor in the frontcourt with Kelly Olynyk. To help push this process forward, the Jazz would get Tyler Herro (in exchange for Talen Horton-Tucker, Olynyk, and a first-round pick. Maybe the Heat will throw them an additional second-round pick or two. For also being a facilitator in this deal, the Suns are able to swap out Deandre Ayton for Jusuf Nurkic and Caleb Martin. Considering their depth issues, that’s a deal that may be worth the hassle.
Finally, the Blazers get a nice haul headlined by Ayton, THT, and Miami’s two young talents Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Nikola Jovic. They also get three first-round picks.
This is a deal that likely completely changes the dynamic of the Eastern Conference, with the Heat entering the season as the favorite to win the conference.