The Miami Heat could finally land the player they’ve chased for years. With Damian Lillard officially hitting free agency after being waived by the Milwaukee Bucks, the long-simmering connection between the Heat and the nine-time All-Star is heating up again.
While he’s recovering from a torn Achilles, Miami still looms as one of the most intriguing destinations for the veteran guard.
Analyst Says Heat Could Be the Next Destination for Damian Lillard
It’s not every day a nine-time All-Star becomes available for cheap, but that’s exactly the situation with Lillard. On Tuesday, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the Bucks’ move to waive Lillard, choosing to stretch the $113 million left on his contract over five years. The move cleared the way for them to sign center Myles Turner.
Now that Lillard is officially a free agent, he can choose any team that wants him. And once again, the Heat are surfacing as a serious contender. His name has been tied to the franchise before, but this time, the whispers carry more weight with Lillard free to sign wherever he wants.
In a fresh analysis for PFSN, NBA analyst Bjorn Bergstrom revisited the Heat’s long-standing connection with Lillard and explained why this could finally be the moment they unite.
“Before Lillard was traded to the Bucks in September 2023, his wish list included the Miami Heat at the top,” Bergstrom wrote. “Now entering unrestricted free agency, it’s hard not to see them once again factoring in as a serious contender, especially with them potentially signing him for the veteran’s minimum.”
That minimum deal is a possibility now, not because Lillard’s value has dropped, but because of his unique financial situation. After Milwaukee waived him Tuesday morning, they opted to stretch the $113 million remaining on his contract across five seasons, meaning Lillard will earn $22.5 million annually from the Bucks no matter where he signs.
The Bucks will owe Damian Lillard over $22M per year for the next FIVE years 😳
This is the largest waive and stretch in NBA history. pic.twitter.com/dCNOc8y89c
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 1, 2025
That opens the door for teams like the Heat to swoop in with a cheap deal, perhaps even a multi-year offer, without having to break the bank.
And for a Heat team that’s been searching for a point guard upgrade and veteran leadership, Lillard checks every box.
Does It Make Sense for the Heat and for Lillard?
The basketball fit of Lillard in Miami is up for debate. Lillard, who turns 35 later this month, is recovering from a torn Achilles he suffered during the Bucks’ first-round playoff series. That could keep him out for much or all of the 2025-26 season. Still, as Bergstrom noted, Lillard has never made winning his only priority.
“He’s shown it’s not all about winning championships,” Bergstrom said. “While the Heat may not reach contender status with a trio of Lillard, Herro, and Adebayo… the quality of life and previous interest in Miami could be a major factor.”
Lillard’s 2024-25 campaign saw him post 24.9 points, 7.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game in 58 appearances before suffering a torn Achilles in the first round of the 2025 playoffs. That injury clouds his availability next season, but not his value. The Heat could use his veteran presence and offensive firepower.
Besides, the Heat just lost Duncan Robinson to the Detroit Pistons and face questions about their depth, scoring, and aging core. Still, a low-cost signing of Lillard could give them instant credibility and locker room leadership, especially for younger players like Kasparas Jakucionis, their 2025 draft pick, and Davion Mitchell, who recently agreed to return to Miami on a two-year, $24 million contract.
For now, no deal appears imminent, but the Heat are widely viewed as the most likely destination. While Lillard may no longer carry a team the way he once did in Portland or Milwaukee, he could still thrive in a supporting role in Miami.
