According to reports the Heat are in talks with a number of other teams to persuade the Blazers to accept a Lillard return that would satisfy them.
Wes Goldberg of Fansided reported that “but the Heat are believed to be talking to teams outside of Portland as they try to put a framework together to present the Blazers front office.” League sources told AllUCanHeat/Locked On Heat that the Utah Jazz, Brooklyn Nets, Indiana Pacers, and Phoenix Suns were all parties to those discussions.
According to Marc Spears, Miami has offered Portland a package based on former Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro and two first-round draft picks. But one insider has said the Blazers simply do not want to engage with Miami, and in the meantime, the Toronto Raptors are being talked about as perhaps the new frontrunner to land Lillard.
In addition, the Chicago Bulls, among a few other teams, are believed to have real interest in trading for the seven-time All-Star.
The Heat recently returned from their second appearance in the NBA Finals in four years. But because all of their journeys ended in defeat, it is obvious that they require a significant boost in offensive potency if they are to overcome this obstacle and hoist banner No. 4.
They had the lowest points per game last year, and they scored 95 points or fewer in four of the five games of the championship series against the Denver Nuggets. They lack players that can consistently attack opponents, particularly off the dribble, with the exception of Jimmy Butler and occasionally Herro, which has forced them to play from behind against top teams.
Lillard would be an excellent co-star for the Heat if he ever made a trip to South Florida.
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