
<p>Once again, the <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-likely-destinations-for-chris-paul-in-case-of-suns-exit-20230607-SPD-3679.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Miami Heat</a></strong> came close to winning the NBA title but fell just short. Since Jimmy Butler’s arrival, the Heat have twice advanced to the NBA Finals, but no one player has been able to carry the team to victory.</p>



<p>All through the playoffs, Erik Spoelstra’s squad battled valiantly and exceeded expectations. Although they lacked star power and had Tyler Herro out with an injury, they had been dominating games leading up to their matchup with the Denver Nuggets.</p>



<p>The Heat have a real shot at repeating as champs. For this reason, they will pursue players of All-Star level, like Damian Lillard, with great vigor. Therefore, we will discuss him and other possible free-agent signings for the Miami Heat.</p>



<h2>3. Damian Lillard</h2>



<p>Pat Riley and the rest of the Heat should make <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-likely-destinations-for-damian-lillard-in-case-of-trail-blazers-exit-20230611-SPD-3692.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a></strong> a top priority. In fact, he has openly said that he is eager to play there with Bam Adebayo.</p>



<p>The Portland Trail Blazers might be compelled to let him leave in exchange for a highly significant trade deal if he is not convinced of the team’s championship prospects.</p>



<h2>2. Chris Paul</h2>



<p>The team that does not choose Damian Lillard and/or Kyrie Irving will get Chris Paul as their second-best option. That’s the truth about his future in the league right now.</p>



<p>Although he is no longer a reliable scorer and often misses time due to injury, Kobe Bryant is still one of the best playmakers of all time and an outstanding defender. Nonetheless, the Phoenix Suns may try to retain him.</p>



<h2>1. Fred VanVleet</h2>



<p>Any club that acquires Fred VanVleet this summer may see significant improvement. He’s in the twilight of his career but already showing signs of becoming an All-Star caliber player who can contribute on both sides of the court.</p>



<p>VanVleet has decided to opt out of his contract with the Toronto Raptors. He has previously filled in well for Kyle Lowry and would seem to be a good fit for the Miami Heat.</p>


NBA: Top 3 possible targets for Heat to bolster roster - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA: Top 3 possible targets for Heat to bolster roster

miniaturas


<p>For good reason, <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-likely-destinations-for-chris-paul-in-case-of-suns-exit-20230607-SPD-3679.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a></strong> is the topic of most conversation among NBA fans right now. The first signs that he could be thinking about quitting the <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-likely-destinations-for-austin-reaves-in-case-of-lakers-exit-20230609-SPD-3683.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a></strong> have appeared.</p>



<p>Lillard is a top scorer in the NBA and a strong leader who would benefit whatever club he joins. There are likely several franchises that would want to make him an offer.</p>



<p>The Blazers, though, owe it to him to trade him to a more suitable club. Let’s examine the three places where he’s most likely to end up in light of this information.</p>



<h2>3. Philadelphia 76ers</h2>



<p>Due to James Harden’s expected departure from the Philadelphia 76ers this summer, it is clear that the team has to get a new point guard.</p>



<p>He would be able to play with reigning MVP Joel Embiid for a strong coach in Nick Nurse, and the team would have a legitimate shot at winning its first title in almost a decade.</p>



<h2>2. Brooklyn Nets</h2>



<p>Lillard, when questioned about his plans, said that the Brooklyn Nets may be a good fit for him because of his friendship with Mikal Bridges.</p>



<p>The Nets want to make up for the disastrous years they spent with Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, and they have no incentive to tank since the Houston Rockets can trade draft selections with them.</p>



<h2>1. Miami Heat</h2>



<p>This squad was Lillard’s first choice when asked where he would want to play if he decided to leave the Blazers this summer.</p>



<p>Lillard’s best buddy Bam Adebayo exemplifies the spirit of Heat Culture. He would be an ideal addition to the team that Pat Riley has reshaped since becoming its leader.</p>


NBA: Top 3 most likely destinations for Damian Lillard in case of Trail Blazers exit - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA: Top 3 most likely destinations for Damian Lillard in case of Trail Blazers exit


<p>The <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-possible-targets-for-celtics-to-bolster-roster-20230531-SPD-3666.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Boston Celtics</a></strong> were the most heavily favored Eastern Conference team to go to the NBA Finals. But against the No. 8 seed Miami Heat, they were unable to pull off the upset.</p>



<p>Despite Jayson Tatum’s best efforts, his team lost. Some people think it’s time to split up Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart since neither has played up to expectations.</p>



<p>Obviously, it would only occur if they were able to acquire a player with All-Star potential. Even though there may not be many of them, we’ll examine three viable targets they might go for.</p>



<h2>3. Karl-Anthony Towns</h2>



<p><strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-most-likely-destinations-for-jaylen-brown-in-case-of-celtics-exit-20230526-SPD-3657.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Karl-Anthony Towns</a></strong> was out for a significant chunk of the season. The Minnesota Timberwolves undertook a risky experiment by putting him on the court alongside Rudy Gobert.</p>



<p>They haven’t been successful so far, and it doesn’t seem like they ever will. Due to their size disadvantage, the Celtics might benefit greatly from adding a shooter.</p>



<h2>2. Damian Lillard</h2>



<p>Many experts believe the Portland Trail Blazers will completely overhaul the team and trade All-Star point guard Damian Lillard or the No. 3 overall selection in order to build around Lillard. A third possibility is moving on from Lillard and starting over.</p>



<p>Keeping Jaylen Brown as their franchise player while trading away their aging star is a viable option for the Blazers.</p>



<h2>1. Zach LaVine</h2>



<p>The Chicago Bulls apparently worry that Lonzo Ball may never play professionally again. Marcus Smart is the ideal point guard and tough defender they’ve been looking for. They would have to use some fillers and draft choices, but they could accomplish it.</p>



<p>With Zach LaVine’s rocky relationship with Billy Donovan and the team’s lackluster core, the Bulls may be better off starting over. LaVine has been in a virtual dead heat with other groups throughout the course of the previous two seasons.</p>


NBA: Top 3 possible All-Star targets for Celtics for next season - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA: Top 3 possible All-Star targets for Celtics for next season


<p>The <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-top-3-possible-targets-for-warriors-to-bolster-roster-20230529-SPD-3660.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a></strong> came into this NBA season as one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams. Even with <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/top-3-players-that-might-challenge-nikola-jokic-for-2023-nba-mvp-award-20230318-SPD-3509.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Joel Embiid</a></strong>‘s MVP season, they couldn’t quite make it.</p>



<p>For the third time in as many years, the Sixers’ Doc Rivers era ended in the second round of the playoffs with a loss. Despite firing their coach, the team may have underlying problems that need the addition of multiple new players throughout the summer.</p>



<p>If James Harden leaves, as has been speculated, it might become much more apparent. Keeping that in mind, let’s examine three alternative objectives they may pursue.</p>



<h2>3. Dorian Finney-Smith</h2>



<p>The Sixers need to accept the reality that they have outgrown Tobias Harris and find a replacement. Now that he’s nearing the last year of his deal, he might be traded for a number of draft selections.</p>



<p>They may then go for Dorian Finney-Smith, one of the finest wing-stoppers in the league, to replace Al Horford as their starting small forward, and deploy him mostly against Jayson Tatum and/or Jaylen Brown.</p>



<h2>2. Kyrie Irving</h2>



<p>Considering Daryl Morey’s history as an aggressive businessman, we can’t completely exclude this possibility, even if it defies logic.</p>



<p>Kyrie Irving, a free agency, may be a good fit to replace James Harden, giving the 76ers another explosive scorer and excellent ball-handler to play with Joel Embiid, despite the obvious dangers involved.</p>



<h2>1. Damian Lillard</h2>



<p>Damian Lillard’s name has been bandied around in trade rumors involving many clubs, notably the Philadelphia 76ers, for quite some time. The veteran James Harden would benefit greatly from his addition.</p>



<p>Lillard has expressed his desire to not be a part of a rebuild by the Portland Trail Blazers, and trading him would make sense for both sides.</p>


NBA: Top 3 possible targets for 76ers to bolster roster - thesportsdrops NEWS

NBA: Top 3 possible targets for 76ers to bolster roster


<p>It is not in <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/i-thought-for-sure-i-was-going-back-home-donovan-mitchell-on-his-failed-knicks-move-2756-20220914-SPD-2756.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a></strong>‘s plans to leave the <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-how-patrick-beverley-trade-could-impact-future-of-russell-westbrook-at-lakers-2618-20220827-SPD-2618.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a></strong>, where he has played his entire professional basketball career. Lillard recently said on the Dave Pasch Podcast that he has no intentions to leave Portland anytime soon.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>To a question about whether or not he plans to play all his career with the Blazers, Lillard said, “I do. I do. I’ve had my share of people saying, ‘Man, you got to get out of there. You’ve got to do this, you’ve got to do that.’ But I’m the type of person that I’m never going to be marching to the beat of nobody else’s drum. I’m going to always do what I feel like is in my best interest and that I really feel in my heart.</p></blockquote>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>“I want to win. I want to win in Portland. It would mean something to me to do it here. … This is me being loyal to who I am, and how I feel and what I want to see happen. I would love to finish my career here. That’s my plan, and that’s that.”</p></blockquote>



<h2>Damian Lillard plans to remain with Trail Blazers for life</h2>



<p>Lillard was picked by the Trail Blazers in the sixth round of the 2012 NBA Draft. Only two other current players have been with the club that selected them longer than Lillard has now: Warriors guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Lillard places a high value on loyalty, and he believes that remaining with the Blazers and the Portland Trail Blazers organization is a way for him to honor both himself and the team.</p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>“I feel like we’ll have a chance to win.  feel like that moment is going to come. I feel like that opportunity is going to come, and that’s that. As long as I feel that our organization is putting their best foot forward and we’re on the same page about doing everything that we can do to win, then I’m willing to go out swinging.”</p></blockquote>


Damian Lillard committed to Trail Blazers for rest of his career - thesportsdrops NEWS

Damian Lillard committed to Trail Blazers for rest of his career


<p><strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-eric-bledsoe-to-become-free-agent-after-blazers-cut-ties-2068-20220708-SPD-2068.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Damian Lillard</a></strong>, a key player for the <strong><a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-trail-blazers-in-talks-for-matisse-thybulle-with-76ers-1726-20220624-SPD-1726.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Portland Trail Blazers</a></strong>, is very close to finalizing an extension that would pay him $122 million over the course of two more seasons. According to Bobby Marks of <em>ESPN</em>, it will keep him in Portland until the 2026-27 season, making him one of the biggest earners in the history of the NBA.</p>



<p>According to Spotrac, Damian Lillard’s lifetime earnings from playing on the court will surpass $450 million by the time his contract expires in 2027. This would place him third in all-time earnings, behind only <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-rumors-nets-seeking-to-secure-a-deal-for-kevin-durant-after-star-requests-trade-1907-20220630-SPD-1907.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Kevin Durant</a> and <a href="https://news.thesportsdrop.com/nba/nba-news-stephen-curry-wins-first-finals-mvp-award-in-career-1586-20220617-SPD-1586.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Stephen Curry.</a></p>



<p>Lillard is coming off of an injury-plagued season in which he participated in just 29 games, which was the fewest number of games he has ever played in throughout his career. As the Trail Blazers slipped out of postseason contention, he was forced to be shut down after undergoing stomach surgery to treat a nagging issue. </p>



<h2>Damian Lillard to stay failtful to Portland for another two years</h2>



<p>Even as the Trail Blazers try to retool after a disappointing season, the six-time All-Star remains the team’s central figure. The 31-year-old has played his whole career in Portland, where he won the Rookie of the Year title in 2012-13 and was selected for six All-Star games and six times earned All-NBA accolades.</p>



<p>Now that they have the star point guard under contract, Chauncey Billups’ side have an obligation to provide him the tools he needs to be successful in the NBA Playoffs. This summer, they have strengthened their roster by re-signing Jusuf Nurkic and Anfernee Simons and by acquiring Jerami Grant and Gary Payton II.</p>


Damian Lillard

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NBA: Top 3 most likely destinations for Damian Lillard in case of Trail Blazers exit

NBA: Top 3 possible All-Star targets for Celtics for next season

NBA: Top 3 possible targets for 76ers to bolster roster

Damian Lillard committed to Trail Blazers for rest of his career

NBA Free Agency: New Trail Blazers contract to make Damian Lillard one of highest earners in NBA history

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