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Surprising many, the Miami Heat made an impressive journey from entering the playoffs as an eight-seed to securing an NBA Finals appearance last season. Although their success was limited to a single win against the Denver Nuggets, optimism still surrounds the Heat’s stature as a major player in the Eastern Conference.
Now, in the swirling whirlwind of free agency, the Heat have become the talk of the town, thanks in no small part to Portland Trail Blazers superstar Damian Lillard, who has expressed his desire to be traded to the defending Eastern Conference champions.
The Heat lost some good ones in Max Strus and Gabe Vincent this offseason, leaving a void that a player of Lillard’s caliber can more than fill. Simultaneously, Lillard, who hasn’t had the support he needed in Portland, could anticipate plenty of wins in Miami with the help of Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo.
The potential addition of Lillard has stirred a significant amount of positive chatter around the NBA, but not everyone is convinced. Kevin O’ Connor of The Ringer, for instance, isn’t sold on the Heat surpassing the Boston Celtics or the Milwaukee Bucks next season, even if the coveted point guard is added.
“I just don’t know if the Miami Heat are actually going to be better than the Celtics or the Bucks next year in the eastern conference even with Damian Lillard.”
“I just don’t know if the Miami Heat are actually going to be better than the Celtics or the Bucks next year in the eastern conference even with Damian Lillard.”
(Via @FanDuelTV )
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 3, 2023
