Four-team hypothetical framework trade would net Miami Heat Damian Lillard and Buddy Hield
The Portland Trail Blazers apparently don’t like the assets the Miami Heat have given, which is one of the reasons why they haven’t yet acquired Damian Lillard. Buddy Hield, a superstar target and deadly shooter, might eventually be given to the Heat in a potential multi-team deal.
On a recent episode of the “Five on the Floor” podcast, Heat insiders Ethan Skolnick and Greg Sylvander explored the prospective Lillard-to-Heat deal and provided a “speculative framework” for how a four-team trade can be accomplished.
In order to be clear, Sylvander remarked, “This is not reporting from us.” “This is just so elementary. I’ll go so far as to call it a hypothetical framework of how a contract between these four organizations might be structured. However, I will concede that the teams mentioned in this discussion are ones that we have all heard about in some manner, shape, or form. With Miami, Portland, Phoenix, and Indiana as the last four teams, I think this is an interesting combination.
According to Sylvander, the deal would result in Deandre Ayton, Kyle Lowry, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. joining the Blazers, Jusuf Nurkic, T.J. McConnell, and Caleb Martin joining the Phoenix Suns, and Tyler Herro joining the Indiana Pacers.
There have been conflicting reports on the potential Lillard-to-Heat trade recently, as some say that talks between the Heat and Blazers have picked up recently, while a report claiming it has been more than two months since the two sides discussed a deal has cropped up.
Whatever the case may be, it seems like a straight-up deal between Miami and Portland is off the table. A three-team or four-team deal may be necessary for the Heat to nab their target. Fortunately for Miami, several teams have reportedly shown interest in Herro, including possibly the Utah Jazz, Chicago Bulls, Charlotte Hornets and Brooklyn Nets. The inclusion of the Pacers on that list is certainly a welcome development.
Some Heat fans probably want Herro to remain in Miami. After all, he is a rising star who has thrived in a reserve role, winning the Sixth Man of the Year award in 2022, and as a starter. Last season, he put up 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 3.0 3-pointers per game while starting all 67 games in the regular season.
However, the University of Kentucky product is arguably the team’s most attractive asset. Any deal for a superstar of Lillard’s caliber would require letting go of Herro.
But it would be a coup for Miami if it also gets to land Hield, who has been one of the most prolific outside scorers in the league these past seasons. The sniper would give the Heat another potent weapon from the perimeter, something they sorely need.
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