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AUCH’s Damian Lillard gut check: Will the Heat get their man?

By Wes Goldberg

Jan 23, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) warms up before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 23, 2023; Portland, Oregon, USA; Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard (0) warms up before a game against the San Antonio Spurs at Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) stands on the court during a break in the action against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Spectrum Center. The Charlotte Hornets won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2023; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kelly Oubre Jr. (12) stands on the court during a break in the action against the Indiana Pacers during the second half at Spectrum Center. The Charlotte Hornets won 115-109. Mandatory Credit: Nell Redmond-USA TODAY Sports /

As the Heat await a resolution to the Lillard situation, who is the free agent that got away?

Escarpio: With their timetable, it’s Christian Wood or Kelly Oubre Jr. They couldn’t go snag a bigger fish early in the offseason because they had to prepare for Lillard, but letting those two guys sign with other teams, despite being on the market for so long, was questionable.

Sims: Seeing the Kelly Oubre Jr. to Philly notification ruined my day. He’s a gritty player that would fit right in Miami. Spoelstra would’ve gotten the most out of Oubre.

Masood: I wasn’t terribly beholden to any of the names who were out there in August and early September, but Dario Sarić would’ve been a hand-in-glove fit as a backup big for this roster. Even if he’s no longer playoff-rotation caliber, the Heat badly need 82-game innings-eaters to keep the core of the team fresh.

Coelho: Although Christian Wood and Kelly Oubre Jr. are the most notable ones, I think the Heat could’ve pursued some other veterans like Eric Gordon, Seth Curry and Jae Crowder. With or without Dame, depth might be a problem for Miami this season.

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