REPORT: Miami Heat Were Never Truly Interested in Signing Damian Lillard Despite Months of Rumors, Says Insider Sam Amico

The saga that surrounded Damian Lillard and the Miami Heat during the 2023 offseason had fans, analysts, and insiders all locked in, awaiting a potential blockbuster that never materialized. Lillard, who had long expressed a desire to be traded to Miami, never donned a Heat jersey. Now, according to longtime NBA insider Sam Amico, there’s a surprising twist to the tale: the Miami Heat were never seriously interested in signing or trading for the seven-time All-Star.

Amico, a well-respected journalist who has covered the NBA for over two decades, shared the revelation in a recent report that sent ripples through the basketball world. His claim directly contradicts the months of speculation suggesting the Heat were pursuing Lillard aggressively. According to Amico’s sources, Miami’s front office was lukewarm at best in their evaluation of what Lillard could bring to the team both short- and long-term.

This new information drastically reshapes the narrative. While Lillard publicly made it known through his agent and media channels that Miami was his preferred destination, it now seems that preference wasn’t mutual. Amico stated that the Heat never put forth what would be considered a serious offer to Portland, opting instead to monitor the situation from afar rather than actively try to acquire the superstar guard.

“This wasn’t a case of a failed trade or negotiations breaking down over minor details,” Amico said. “Miami didn’t see Lillard as the right fit for their system or timeline. There was interest in the sense of doing due diligence, but nothing close to actionable movement.”

Lillard eventually landed with the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team trade that involved the Phoenix Suns. The Bucks gave up Jrue Holiday, Grayson Allen, and a collection of draft picks to land Lillard, whose pairing with Giannis Antetokounmpo immediately made Milwaukee a title favorite. The Heat, meanwhile, made no significant roster-altering moves in the backcourt that summer and instead doubled down on their core group.

In hindsight, Miami’s reticence to pursue Lillard may have stemmed from a combination of financial constraints, age concerns, and long-term strategic thinking. Lillard, 33 at the time, was owed more than $200 million over the life of his remaining contract. That type of financial commitment, especially for a player whose strength lies in scoring rather than defense, might have given Heat President Pat Riley and General Manager Andy Elisburg some pause.

“Miami has always been cautious about mortgage-the-future trades unless the player in question fits what they call ‘Heat culture,’” Amico wrote. “There were internal discussions about Lillard’s style of play and whether he would thrive in their defensive-first environment. Ultimately, the concerns outweighed the intrigue.”

The Heat’s decision not to chase Lillard flies in the face of popular fan perception, which saw Miami as the ideal landing spot. With Jimmy Butler’s prime ticking down and Bam Adebayo continuing to evolve, adding a third All-Star-caliber player like Lillard appeared to be the logical next step. Instead, Miami took a wait-and-see approach and allowed the market to dictate Lillard’s future elsewhere.

There were also indications throughout the 2023 summer that Portland was never thrilled with Miami’s trade package, which reportedly included Tyler Herro, a few young pieces, and multiple first-round picks. At the time, many blamed Portland’s front office for not cooperating with Lillard’s preferred destination. But in light of Amico’s report, it now seems the lack of urgency from Miami may have contributed just as much to the breakdown.

Portland ultimately rerouted Jrue Holiday to Boston, and Lillard’s Bucks experienced an up-and-down first season, particularly after Lillard suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. Despite the unfortunate setback, the Bucks remain hopeful that a healthy Lillard can be a difference-maker alongside Giannis in the years to come.

Miami’s alternate route saw them return to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2024, continuing their pattern of playoff success despite roster limitations. Still, the absence of a true offensive closer outside of Butler left them vulnerable against elite scoring teams. That weakness reignited questions about whether the franchise missed a golden opportunity to pair Butler with a dynamic scorer like Lillard.

However, according to Amico, there was no “opportunity missed” from Miami’s point of view. The front office, including head coach Erik Spoelstra, were united in their belief that the cost of acquiring Lillard—both in salary and in altering the team’s identity—was not worth the gamble.

“You’re not just bringing in a name; you’re bringing in a whole new system when you add someone like Dame,” one Eastern Conference executive reportedly told Amico. “Spo runs a very demanding defensive scheme. Lillard is elite, but he’s never been asked to guard like Miami guards. It would’ve been a culture shock.”

There’s also the matter of Tyler Herro, who was dangled in trade talks for much of the offseason but has remained a focal point in Miami’s development plans. The organization still believes Herro, though not a superstar, can grow into a reliable two-way contributor who fits better in their long-term salary structure. Offloading him for Lillard would have required Miami to also strip other young assets like Jaime Jaquez Jr. or Nikola Jović—players Miami is reportedly high on.

In many ways, the Lillard saga in Miami was more media creation than front-office reality. Amico’s report suggests that while Heat fans and even Lillard himself were hopeful for a union, the actual interest from the franchise was tepid. It also reflects a broader strategy that Miami has used for years—remaining flexible while avoiding emotional, blockbuster moves that sacrifice future stability.

As Lillard begins another chapter in his career, recovering from injury and hoping to return to All-NBA form with the Bucks, the Heat continue on their own path. Their approach may lack the flash of a superstar acquisition, but few can argue with the results. Since 2020, Miami has reached the NBA Finals twice and the Conference Finals three times—all without the services of a second superstar beside Jimmy Butler.

Of course, there remains the question of how much longer Miami can afford to rely on that formula. Butler, now in his mid-30s, has battled injuries and inconsistency. Adebayo remains elite, but not always aggressive as a primary scorer. Herro is still unproven in deep playoff runs. Without Lillard, some wonder whether Miami has hit its ceiling.

Still, if Amico’s report is accurate—and there’s little reason to doubt it—then it’s clear Miami had a plan all along. Lillard may have dreamed of South Beach, but the Heat’s vision never truly included him.

And in today’s NBA, where perception often outpaces reality, this might be the ultimate reminder that front offices aren’t always operating within the same emotional context as fans or even players. While the headlines shouted “Lillard to Heat,” behind closed doors, the Heat were thinking: “Thanks, but no thanks.”

Only time will tell which franchise made the right call. For now, the Heat stand by their decision, and Lillard finds himself once again with the Portland Trail Blazers—only this time, as a veteran mentor instead of a franchise savior. It’s a full-circle moment that perhaps would never have occurred had Miami pursued him with real intent. But according to Sam Amico, that door was never truly open.