Every once in a while, when you least expect, the NBA rears back and paints 97 on the black for strike three, leaving all of us in disarray, wondering what just happened.
That happened Tuesday morning.
After losing aging big man Brook Lopez to the Los Angeles Clippers in Day 1 of free agency, the Milwaukee Bucks poached Myles Turner from the reigning Eastern Conference champion Indiana Pacers, but shockingly waived and stretched Damian Lillard to create cap space without having to deal any of their long-term assets.
Lillard suffered a torn Achilles last postseason and will likely spend most, if not all of the season recovering. While that may be the case, the Heat are still expected to be in the hunt for Lillard … once again!
Heat expected to purse Damian Lillard:
If you expected anything different, then I don’t know what to tell you. But the Miami Heat are interested in pursuing the nine-time All-Star at what will be viewed as a discounted price, according to Associated Press’ Tim Reynolds.
According to NBA insider Chris Haynes, who has a relationship with Lillard, the Heat are a team to watch–all but confirming Reynolds’ aforementioned report.
The Bucks will be paying Lillard approximately $113 guaranteed spread out over the next five seasons–$22.5 million per year–so he could sign wherever he wants at a cheap price without losing a single dime.
Miami would not gain access to the disabled player exception if they hypothetically acquired Lillard since he wasn’t on the team when he got injured; teams can’t trade into the DPE. So it wouldn’t have more flexibility in it did want to take a flyer at an inexpensive cost.
Lillard, who turns 35-years-old later this month, would be an invaluable mentor for both newly-drafted Kasparas Jakucionis and newly-signed Davion Mitchell, should he sign a cheap (multi-year) deal with the Heat.
However, as good as he is, there’s a chance he will miss all of next season and won’t return to the hardwood until he’s 36-years-old … coming off an achilles injury, which is very difficult to at his size and age.
There would be inherent risk to burning your final roster spot for Lillard. His game may age, but his body won’t. Even at a cheaper cost, would you consider bringing Lillard in?! Let us know in the comments!
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I’m looking forward to the summer league games starting this weekend. First 3 are in the California Classic on Saturday (5th), Sunday (6th) and Tuesday (8th).
I want to see if Ware comes back bigger, stronger, more confident, determined and physical.
I want to see how well Larsson is coming along, on both sides of the ball. If he can hit 3’s consistently and improve his ball handling and defense, he could be a solid rotation player.
I want to see if Johnson comes into camp hungry, physical and determined to do his best to earn a starting position or a rotation spot, at minimum.
I am interested in seeing how the Lithuanian kid, Jakucionis plays. From what I’ve read, he kind of reminds folks a little bit of Dragic and a little bit of Luka. He might not be quite there now, but if he is half as good as Dragic or a third as good as Luka, Miami may have gotten the steal of the draft. Tall point guards who are good playmakers are at a premium (e.g., Shai, Haliburton, Cunningham, Giddey etc.).
The other undrafted players (like Goldin, Settle and Ballo should also be interesting. Who knows, there may be a keeper (or two) in the bunch.
GO HEAT!
So, Lillard is going to be in rehab until at least the playoffs, if not 2026-2027. Since Milwaukee is already paying him his remaining 2 years of salary over 5 years, is it possible for Miami to sign him on a veteran’s minimum contract for 2 years while he rehabilitates? He knows he’ll get the best medical care and will get out of the snow. Then, depending on how he plays when he returns, the two parties can negotiate a mutually satisfactory agreement, possibly a multi-year contract. Sounds like a plan to me.
After that, if Antetocounmpo wants out of Milwaukee, we can send them their hometown boy Herro, plus Wiggins, Jovic, Jaquez and a pick).
fontechio to miami
I guess he’s alright for a gap year. I wonder how our cap looking after this trade.
He’s fine for gap year and will play some for sure.
Yes sir, plus he can give minutes at the back up 4, and possibly have a bounce back year under the tutelage of spo.
He averaged 15 points last year, but not much in boards and assists. I’m not sure why as I didn’t watch many Pistons games. But he has shown he can be productive offensively.
Low rebounding and low passing chops suck, but if he can get back close to that offensive form, that would help his trade value go up some. I think a lot of pistons games weren’t nationally televised.
No, he only averaged the 15 ppg in 16 games for them. For the season, he was at 10.5 ppg, but did shoot over 40% 3p %.
Fontecchio is due to earn $8,307,692 in 2025-2026, the final year of his 2-year contract. Robinson signed with Miami for 3 years/$48M prior to the trade. What incentive was there for Miami? What else did Detroit give up for Robinson? I hope at least a 2nd round pick, otherwise, what was the incentive?
If they didn’t get a 2nd round pick, the only incentives I can think of is he can play back up 4 minutes, on an expiring contract, which is good for a gap year. Also maybe build up back his value, and trade him.
Good question. A relatively small savings, I guess. My take is it’s hard to move a Duncan, have to take back exactly what we got.
Not sure how you arrive there. They didn’t have to give him a 3 year contract. They obviously valued him enough to do so, especially with the Malik situation.
He was already off the books. How does paying Fontecchio save them money? Asking for a friend.
I called it in the other thread.
$48 million not bad for JCC/rec league player, huh?
duncs a good shooter but he will let in more than he scores det will find out.
No matter how you spin it, it certainly brings closure to the idea that nobody wants Duncan’.
dunc 3 for 48 mil wow detroit go blue
They needed a shooter badly, with thj gone, and Beasley possibly gone as well, with gambling issue.
hardaway resigned with det
giannis turner portis kuzma thats a nice fc.no bc though
connaughton to charlotte
jaren jackson jr 5years 240 million. wow
is pat in the country?
tim hardaway jr back with detroit
Greek Freak is not happy about Bucks waiving Lillard.. He may ask to be traded. If he does, he is the one Miami should consider trading for. Here’s a hypothetical for discussion purposes only.
Bucks get: Wiggins, Herro, Ware, Highsmith, 1st round pick
Heat gets: Antetokounmpo, Portis
Mitchell, Robinson*, Antetokounmpo, Bam, Portis
Jakucionis, Jaquez, Jovic,, Johnson, Anderson
Smith, Larsson, Rozier, Love, Goldin**
* Re-sign for reduced amount. Miami will need good 3 point shooter for spacing on starting unit.
**Sign on NBA rookie minimum as back-up center or to use in rotation, if required.
Note: Herro would be playing for his home town team.
im hearing msg
Oops. Didn’t know about Uncan to Detroit.
when dame wanted to come here quitter was on roster with this roster hes not comming here
Once again, it depends on the cost. What’s he willing to sign for? If he’s willing to come to Miami on a vet minimum deal, then sign him yesterday. It might not work out, but it’s low risk. I can see a world where Dame only plays 12-15 minutes a night, but plays the entire 4th quarter every night, and helps with our late-game execution struggles.
But the more expensive he is, the higher the risk becomes.
This would be up Pat’s alley. Aging guard. Injury problem. Star name. That’s like 3 for 3 on the Pat check box.
I also just can’t see how Dame would come here…unless he just wants some sunny beaches. Miami may not even qualify for the playoffs with the current roster, so his injury return (around playoff time), would make a lot more sense for a team with more talent.
Good comments. Pat started salivating the minute the story came out.
Let’s not assume Riley is pursuing Dame until he is. It was a good idea before, but a lot of things have changed since then. Why can’t we go after a real asset with a trade? I wonder what Ty would attract?