Two stars that NBA fans have been dying to see go into a competitive setup for contention are Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal. Beal is reportedly already working on finding a future team, while Lillard is expected to remain with the Blazers for at least another season.
Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson revealed a three-step plan the Heat could use to figure out a way to get both Beal and Lillard onto their squad.
Step 1: “Somehow get word to both Lillard (or his agent Aaron Goodwin) and Beal (or his agent Mark Bartelstein) that the Heat is trying to pull off both Lillard and Beal trades.”
Step 2: “Hope that Lillard not only asks for a trade but also asks Portland to deal him to Miami, and that the Blazers acquiesce.”
Step 3: “Hope that the Beal – who has a full no-trade clause – tells Washington that he will accept a trade only to Miami.”
This is a very pie-in-the-sky situation that Miami fans and reporters want. This is not grounded in reality due to the various financial implications of not only trading for just one of those players but two of them while keeping Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
The new CBA has been designed to deter teams from building rosters like this. This plan also relies on a lot of specific trade requests and asset exceptions, which make this wholly unrealistic.
Miami Heat Need To Look At Realistic Possibilities
The Heat will definitely be in the market to acquire either Beal or Lillard, but saying they’ll get both is not likely. Beal and Lillard will combine to make $92.3 million next season in a league with a projected salary cap of $134 million. With Butler’s existing contract paying him $45.1 million and Adebayo earning $32.6 million, these four players alone will comfortably put the Heat over the luxury tax.
Lillard will earn $45.6 million while Beal will earn $46.7 million. Lillard has an extension that kicks in for 2025-26 and gives him $121 million over just two seasons. Beal will inherit his no-trade clause in his existing contract as well, which is valid for four more seasons.
This would be one hell of an all-in move, but it may cripple the Heat in terms of salary and asset management in a league that is becoming extra punitive for teams that spend too much money.
We sincerely appreciate and respect you as a reader of our site. It would help us a lot if you follow us on Google News because of the latest update.
Thanks for following us. We really appreciate your support.
