Damian Lillard to Miami?
Exciting Miami Heat, Damian Lillard Development Surfaces originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Pat Riley said the Miami Heat roster would look different in 2025-26, but through the first two days of free agency, not much has changed.
The Heat brought back Davion Mitchell on a two-year $24 million deal, and also added a possible bench piece in Simone Fontecchio, who they acquired as part of a sign-and-trade move that sent Duncan Robinson to the Detroit Pistons.
With fans hopeful that a big move is coming after missing on Kevin Durant, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Gary Trent, among other potential targets, the Heat have been linked to one of the biggest names available.
As reported by the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, the Heat are eyeing Damian Lillard, who the Milwaukee Bucks waived in an unexpected move. Now, this isn't the first time that the Heat have been linked to Lillard before, but unlike last time, he is a bit of a special case.
Lillard is nursing an Achilles injury that may keep him out of all or at least most of next season. Regardless, Jackson did say the Heat like him, but they do have one issue.
Aside from the fact that the Golden State Warriors could make a push for the Oakland native, the Heat currently don't have a roster spot available.
"Golden State is interested in bringing Lillard back to his hometown region (the Bay Area), ESPN reports tonight," wrote Jackson. "Lillard will have plenty of options. Heat likes Lillard but is out of roster spots at the moment. Lillard hasn't decided when to sign (could wait weeks or many months)."
Now, this could certainly change if Miami pulls off a trade of some sort, but since the Heat are hoping to contend now, bringing in Lillard cannot be the only move they make.
This past season with the Bucks, the 34-year-old Lillard averaged 24.9 points, 7.1 assists and 4.7 rebounds.
Related: Heat Make Jonathan Kuminga Decision Amid Free Agency Dry Spell
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Basketball
