Now that Damian Lillard is finally attainable, after his contract was shockingly bought out utilizing the stretch provision by the Milwaukee Bucks, it does seem like such a Miami Heat move to sign him. Two years late and at the point where his career is closer to the end than it is to his prime.
Even though Lillard is still a big name, his best basketball days are far behind him. The Heat should remember that before even taking a low-risk flier on him at some point over the next few months.
Once upon a time, the Heat fan base was clamoring for Lillard. In fact, it was just two offseasons ago when Lillard had requested a trade away from the Portland Trail Blazers and had demanded to be moved to the Heat. As the story goes, Miami and Portland failed, or refused, to come to an agreement, and Lillard was ultimately traded to the Bucks.
However, all of a sudden, Lillard could reemerge as a potential target for Miami. Sure, he's coming off an Achilles injury and will probably miss all of the 202-26 NBA season, but this is the exact type of move you could see the Heat making.
The Heat shouldn't pursue Lillard
After sitting out the majority of free agency and the offseason as a whole (up to this point), I wouldn't be surprised to see Miami's front office explore the signing of Lillard eventually (perhaps at some point close to mid-season) and turn around to try to parade it as a win.
With all due respect to Lillard, it would be far from that. Even before his injury, the regression in his game was already beginning to show. Coming off an Achilles injury at 34 years old will not be easy, and far from ideal.
I understand there wouldn't be a ton of risk with a potential signing of Lillard, but he's probably going to be a shell of himself whenever he does return from injury, and, for where the Heat finds themselves in their build, he wouldn't add much value.
Could Lillard's career be over?
I suppose there's a chance that Lillard never plays an NBA game again, but I don't buy that. From everything we know about Lillard, he's not going to go out like this. He'll want to continue his career in some form or fashion. Considering their previous interest in Lillard, the Heat will probably be interested to some extent.
It would be the least shocking development if the Heat signed him. It just won't hit the same had they pulled off a deal for him two summers ago, and this is the exact half-measure move that frustrates the fan base.