Erik Spoelstra NEGLECTS Damian Lillard from Heat’s future plans, claims existing Jimmy Butler and co. a “luxury”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra dismisses rumors of Damian Lillard joining Miami, praises current roster.

Erik Spoelstra NEGLECTS Damian Lillard from Heat’s future plans, claims existing Jimmy Butler and co. a “luxury”

Erik Spoelstra, Damian Lillard, and Jimmy Butler (Images via Getty Images)

Amid a time when all NBA teams are looking to establish their teams and finalize their rosters, some still need to complete the trades they and the players want. One such team is the Miami Heat, which has constantly pursued the likes of Damian Lillard, who has openly expressed his desire to play in Miami.

Erik Spoelstra, the head coach of the Heat and the assistant coach of Team USA, while talking to ESPN on the Heat’s potential roster for this year’s season, said, “We had most of our work done… We’re bringing back the majority of our players, and that’s a luxury in this league. Things are so transient; things are moving fast. It seems like it’s moving faster now than even four, five, six years ago. We feel great about our group.”

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What he said can be interpreted as saying that their current roster, headed by Jimmy Buttler, is considered a luxury by them, and they wouldn’t want to push the trade of Lillard if it is not possible. According to him, the core is built, and the changes, if implemented, will benefit the team because they have already done most of the work. 

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Related: Damian Lillard sends cryptic yet STRONG message to Trail Blazers about desire to leave franchise and join Heatc

Portland Trailblazers is not interested in trading Damian Lillard

Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard of the Portland Blazers (Via Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports)

Although, Lillard’s desires to be traded to the Heats have been curtailed by the Portland Trailblazers, his current team. According to NBA insider Barry Jackson, they are “not interested” in trading Lillard out of the Blazers’ squad. Lillard, averaging 32.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game, should leave the squad, including the Blazers, unless they get a good enough trade. 

According to experts, the Blazers are not getting a good enough trade from Miami. Miami’s role in the trade has become even more critical as the Blazers have shown declining interest. The onus now falls on them to fulfill the wishes of the player they so desperately want. 

If the team is fulfilled with the likes of Lillard, the duo of Lillard and Buttler might just be unstoppable with their unbelievable stats and complementary playing styles where Butler’s defense and playmaking complement Lillard’s scoring and shooting, potentially creating a balanced and dynamic team combination. Seeing how Spoelstra’s strategies play out if the trade doesn’t go forward will be interesting. 

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