NBA
League insiders have reported that Jimmy Butler is helping recruit Damian Lillard to the Miami Heat this offseason
Zach Wolpin is an NBA and NFL expert who's been betting on the league for over three years now. Wolpin has been a fan of the NBA and has been watching for a decade and a half. He covers the latest news and stories surrounding the league daily. His passion in life is watching sports and being able to share that through his sports writing. He has written about the NBA and other sports leagues through various media outlets over the years like Sir Charles In Charge, G-Men HQ, and TAP into South Plainfield. Before he became an NBA News Writer, Wolpin attended Montclair State University where he graduated in 2021. He studied Sports Media and Writing while in school.
All posts by Zach WolpinUpdated19 Jun 2023
After a disappointing end to their season, the Miami Heat are eager to improve their roster this summer. Miami had an incredible run to the Finals, but their talent level was not enough to stop the Nuggets. The Heat know that they need another star alongside Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. That’s why Butler is helping recruit Damian Lillard to join the Miami Heat this offseason.
For the past twelve seasons, Damian Lillard has been a member of the Portland Trail Blazers. He was taken sixth overall by the team in the 2012 NBA Draft. Lillard is at a crossroads in his career and has a big decision to make. After Bradley Beal was traded to Phoenix, the Heat are confident they can land Lillard this offseason.
Miami is confident that the seven-time all-star will want a change of scenery this summer. NBA betting sites have the Heat at (+200) to land Lillard this offseason if he leaves Portland.
Miami’s focus is Portland superstar Damian Lillard with the genuine belief this could be the offseason the veteran guard seeks a change of scenery, league sources tell @NBAonTNT, @BleacherReport.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) June 18, 2023
Jimmy Butler is giving his best recruiting pitch to Damian Lillard to join the Miami Heat
David Aldridge of The Athletic noted that Butler has been a central part of recruiting Lillard to Miami. Adding Lillard to their roster would be a massive boost to PG for next season. Last season with the Blazers, Lillard averaged a career-high (32.2) points per game.
He shot (.463) from the field and (.371) from beyond the arc in 2022-23. That type of offensive scoring and efficiency is something the Heat were missing in the playoffs this season. Lillard is a proven player in the postseason, averaging (25.7) points in 61 career playoff games.
After Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, Miami doesn’t have any other star players who can shoulder a heavy burden. That is something that Lillard has done nearly his entire career with the Blazers. He’s one of their best players in franchise history, but he could ask for a trade this offseason. The Heat will continue to recruit Lillard to join the Miami Heat for the 2023-24 season.
