The Miami Heat are at the center of the Damian Lillard rumors, but they may not have enough to acquire him. The seven-time All-Star wants to come to South Beach. It is on the Heat to assemble a package that gets him to Miami and keeps the franchise in title contention, but what if the Blazers are unwilling to accept even their best offer?
Pat Riley and the Heat will chase the next star. They are coming off an NBA Finals appearance and are eager to make another deep run. Miami might feel like they need another top end talent to get over that mountain.
The Heat will be active and aggressive if the Lillard talks falter. It may not be a superstar, but Riley will look to use his assets to improve the roster. Who will be available?
Moves Miami Heat should make if the Damian Lillard trade falls through
5. Trade for CP3
Chris Paul has already been traded twice this offseason. He went from Phoenix to the Wizards in the Bradley Beal deal before being sent to Golden State for Jordan Poole. The Dubs are excited to have the 12-time All-Star, but working him into their system could be a bumpy transition. What if things are not working out as the calendar flips to 2024?
Golden State might look to move on and shed CP3’s salary from their books. The Heat need another ball-handler and playmaker, and Paul is one of the best point guards in league history. The 38-year-old has struggled to stay healthy in recent years, but Miami could bank on him holding up for one final deep playoff run.
The Miami Heat would not be trading for a current superstar in this deal, but Chris Paul raises their ceiling and would not cost the franchise every tradeable asset available.
4. Wait for Donovan Mitchell
Mitchell is not available right now, but he could be soon. The four-time All-Star has two years left on his contract, and the Cavaliers will be forced to explore his market if he refuses an extension next summer. Cleveland needs to take a step forward this year to keep him long-term and the pressure is on.
The Miami Heat will be lurking and hoping the two sides cannot agree. This won’t help them in the 2023-24 campaign, but Pat Riley and company could keep the powder dry for next summer with Mitchell near the top of their wish list.
The 26-year-old is coming off arguably the best season of his career where he averaged 28.3 points, 4.4 assists 4.3 rebounds, and 1.5 steals in 35.8 minutes. Mitchell lifted the Cavaliers to the playoffs for the first time since LeBron left and had the most efficient year of his career. He would be a fantastic fit next to Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo and could push the Heat over the mountain.
Pat Riley wants another star to bring him a third championship in Miami. Upgrading from Tyler Herro to Donovan Mitchell could be the move that lifts the Heat, but are they willing to wait one year? If not, Riley could try to shake loose a star in the final year of his deal.
3. Go hard after PG13
Paul George has one year plus a player option left on his contract, so it is decision time for the Clippers. Adding Kawhi Leonard and PG13 in the 2019 offseason was supposed to lead to a championship, but the results have been disappointing. The Clippers were in the conference finals in 2021, but have otherwise fallen flat with their two stars.
Missed games have been a massive problem for both Kawhi and PG. George is averaging just 47.2 per season since coming to Los Angeles, including missing the Play-In Tournament in 2022 and the playoffs last season. Can the Clippers sign up for new long-term deals when their two stars rarely play?
Both are extension eligible, so they must decide if they want to keep them or move on. The Clippers cannot allow both of their stars to become free agents and lose them for nothing. This is something to watch before the trade deadline as both Clippers stars might be available.
The Miami Heat could be the perfect fit for Paul George. If he is willing to hit into “Heat Culture” it could keep him healthy and return him to superstar status. PG13 averaged 23.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.1 assists, and 1.5 steals in 34.6 minutes per game last season. He could form one of the best wing duos in the league with Jimmy Butler in Miami, but it would be a gamble by the Heat.
2. Pry away Kawhi
Consider this one unlikely, but crazier things have happened in the NBA. Kawhi is recovering from another knee surgery and has not played more than 60 games since 2017. Load management will forever be a thing with Leonard, but the Heat could be the one franchise that can keep him healthy and firing on all cylinders when the games matter most.
Miami was not willing to pay a massive price for Leonard five years ago when he was entering the final year of his deal, so they would be less likely now. Kawhi missed the entire 2021-22 season recovering from a torn ACL and averages just 38.3 games per season over the last six. It is fair to question how much the 32-year-old has left in the tank.
Kawhi still produces elite numbers when he is on the floor, but it does not happen enough. The 6’7 wing joined the Clippers to be home in Los Angeles, and his desire to leave is unknown. His current team certainly caters to his wishes, and that could cause friction if he comes to Miami.
If the Miami Heat want a superstar, Kawhi Leonard may be the best available option if a Damian Lillard trade falls through, but any price would be an overpay if the five-time All-Star is not on the floor.
1. Trade for Siakam
Pascal Siakam is entering the final year of his contract and wants to stay in Toronto, but there have been more trade rumors than extension rumblings thus far. If the Raptors decide he is not part of their long-term plans, they should explore the trade market before the deadline.
The Heat could have an elite defensive frontcourt by adding Siakam. Bam Adebayo can be the rim protector and last line of defense as Siakam defends any player on the floor. Miami would be more switchable on defense and a difficult team for even the best offenses to solve.
Siakam is also an elite scorer and playmaker for a big man. He would give the Heat more firepower and solve their playmaking woes, despite not being a traditional point guard. Miami would be one of the most versatile teams in the league and a matchup nightmare.
This deal likely hinges on Pascal Siakam committing to stay in South Beach long-term after the trade. He desires to remain in Toronto, but if the Raptors do not want him back, the 6’9 forward should be searching for a new long-term home. Playing in Miami next to Bam and Jimmy Buckets could be quite appealing and should make the Heat annual title contenders.
Will the Miami Heat swing a deal for Damian Lillard? If not, what is their next move? Plenty of talent is available, but who does Pat Riley target? Stay tuned to find out.
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