The Milwaukee Bucks are acutely aware of the importance of Damian Lillard if they aim to contend for the NBA Championship by the 2025 playoffs. Despite a less-than-stellar performance in his first season with the Bucks after leaving the Portland Trail Blazers, Lillard remains a critical piece for Milwaukee’s playoff aspirations. As one of the top point guards in the league, his offensive prowess continues to demand significant attention from opposing defenses.
The Bucks are likely to do everything possible to retain Lillard, given his potential to help Giannis Antetokounmpo achieve a deep playoff run. Finding another player of Lillard’s caliber to complement Antetokounmpo would be challenging.
However, a new rumor could complicate things. Analyst Sourav Mahanty of Athlon Sports suggests that the Miami Heat might still be interested in Lillard. Mahanty points out that despite Lillard’s current role with the Bucks, the Heat could pursue him if Milwaukee’s experiment with him falters. The Heat, who had long been rumored to be Lillard’s preferred destination, might explore a trade offer involving Tyler Herro and other valuable assets if the Bucks decide to rebuild around Antetokounmpo.
With Lillard having two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, the Heat could entice the Bucks with a proposal that includes Herro and key rotation players. Such a move could position the Heat, despite their recent struggles, as a stronger contender, potentially enhancing their championship prospects.
The Bucks must carefully consider any potential trade offers, especially given Lillard’s impressive statistics of 24.3 points, 4.4 rebounds, 7.0 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, even in a down year. Herro could be an attractive trade piece if the partnership between Lillard and Antetokounmpo isn’t yielding the desired results. Nonetheless, Milwaukee’s front office needs to weigh the benefits and risks before making any decisions about Lillard’s future with the team.
