A 1-on-1 trade between the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers for Damian Lillard is unlikely. Although Lillard wants to go to the Heat, Miami’s prime asset being a guard is one of the reasons talks on a deal have stalled.
However, 23-year-old Tyler Herro is far from a negative asset. Virtually every NBA team could benefit from having him, and that can motivate someone interested to help Miami find a solution and finally land Lillard.
There’s also the fact that the Heat has some other intriguing pieces which could attract interest around the league. At the end of the day, it’s all business and no one will hop in a blockbuster just as a favor.
Scanning the league for potential suitors, we landed on three: the obvious choice, a dark horse and one that may surprise you.
1. Brooklyn Nets
It’s been reported that the Brooklyn Nets could be interested in trading for Tyler Herro. After trading away both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving last season, they could use a proven 20-point-per-game scorer.
After trading the two superstars, the Nets now have a haul of assets that includes valuable role players and a ton of draft picks. Brooklyn also has Ben Simmons’ contract, which could be used for salary matching purposes in a deal that pairs Herro with breakout star Mikal Bridges. There are several ways in which they could get involved in a Lillard trade.
Here’s how a trade could be framed:
Heat receive: Damian Lillard; 2025 first-round pick (via PHX)
Nets receive: Tyler Herro; Duncan Robinson
Trail Blazers receive: Ben Simmons; Nikola Jovic; Caleb Martin; 2024, 2028 and 2030 first-round picks (via MIA)
2. Orlando Magic
After witnessing last year’s No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero make an immediate impact, the Orlando Magic could be ready to speed up their rebuild. Making a move to acquire Herro could help take that next step.
A starting lineup of Markelle Fultz, Tyler Herro, Franz Wagner, Banchero and Wendell Carter Jr. could be competitive for years. Lottery picks Anthony Black and Jett Howard would come off the bench with no pressure. Young forward Jonathan Isaac and third-year guard Jalen Suggs could be moved to Portland to help facilitate a deal.
But Portland doesn’t want another guard!
That’s true. But while Herro’s skill set is redundant of Portland’s shoot-first guards Scoot Henderson, Anfernee Simons and Shaedon Sharpe, Suggs would at least provide a different kind of option. Suggs is less a shooter and more of a defender and playmakers. He’s young (22), played college at nearby Gonzaga and could pair well with any of Portland’s current guards in the backcourt.
A trade could look like:
Heat receive: Damian Lillard; 2025 first-round pick (via ORL)
Magic receive: Tyler Herro
Trail Blazers receive: Jalen Suggs; Jonathan Isaac; Nikola Jovic; Duncan Robinson; 2024, 2028 and 2030 (top 10 protected) first-round picks (via MIA)
3. Phoenix Suns
Please read on before calling me crazy!
The Phoenix Suns traded for Bradley Beal and built a stellar offensive core that already had Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and it’s no secret that they have been open to trading Deandre Ayton for depth. There’s been a lot of buzz about Ayton’s relationship with the Suns being frayed. Should we assume he’s suddenly fine because Monty Williams is gone and the Suns have a new owner? I’m not so sure.
A fresh start could be great for a disgruntled young player with All-Star potential and a franchise that can’t afford any more drama that is in championship-or-bust mode. And the Miami Heat could benefit from that. Ayton is under contract for three more years, still young and has room to develop.
The Heat could offer Caleb Martin to the Suns (where he would be very useful) and the Blazers could send Jusuf Nurkic to Phoenix. Let’s also loop the Mavericks in just for fun.
Heat receive: Damian Lillard; Maxi Kleber
Suns receive: Jusuf Nurkic; Caleb Martin; 2030 first-round pick (via MIA)
Mavericks receive: Duncan Robinson; 2026 second-round pick (via LAL)
Trail Blazers receive: Deandre Ayton; Kyle Lowry; Nikola Jovic; Jaime Jaquez Jr.; 2028 first-round pick (via MIA)