Why Heat Needs a Third Team to Complete Damian Lillard Trade with Blazers

The NBA is expecting thePortland Trail Blazersto trade Damian Lillard to theMiami Heatsometime this offseason, but it isn’t that simple.

Even though Lillard’s preference is to be traded to the Heat, the Blazers don’t have an obligation to trade him there simply because that’s where he wants to go. Even though Portland wants to respect Dame’s wishes, the front office won’t do so at the expense of its own health as a team.

In any trade, the Heat will likely part with Tyler Herro, a guard making north of $100 million. However, with Anfernee Simons, Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe on the roster, Herro doesn’t have a defined role in Portland.

ESPN insider Adrian Wojnarowskiis reporting that Herro is the reason why the Blazers would need a third team to trade with and that Portland “isn’t impressed” with what Miami has to offer.

There are more teams than just the Heat interested in trading for Lillard, and if Portland finds an offer that it likes, the trigger may be pulled, even if it isn’t what Dame wants. It’s possible that teams like theUtah Jazz,San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers orPhiladelphia 76ersmay have better packages to offer for Lillard, and nothing is stopping the Blazers from accepting those trades.

With Lillard under contract for four years, the Blazers want “maximum value” for Lillard, and if the Heat isn’t willing to pay up, Miami is going to need another team to help pay the price.