The Miami Heat are interested in acquiring Damian Lillard, and there is much conjecture regarding the Portland Trail Blazers point guard’s future and potential departure. the team throughout the offseason.

Lillard, who was taken sixth overall in the 2012 NBA Draft, has spent his entire NBA career with the Trail Blazers. Although the 32-year-old isn’t looking to leave the Trail Blazers and is still dedicated to “winning” with them, he did hint that Miami would be his final destination if he did.

Since the beginning of the NBA summer, numerous trade speculations have surrounded the standout player for the Trail Blazers.

The Heat, who reportedly want to trade for the seven-time All-Star after missing out on Bradley Beal, who was traded from the Wizards to the Suns on Sunday, are one of the clubs showing interest in Lillard.

According to reports, Miami’s recruitment presentation to the 32-year-old, whose future in Portland is still up in the air, focused heavily on Jimmy Butler.

But on Monday, during an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Shams Charania of The Athletic indicated that Lillard is keen on remaining with the Blazers, should they find a way to improve their roster. 

“Damian Lillard has really left it up to Portland. He wants to be there. He wants the team to get better,” said Charania. 

“They have the No. 3 pick in the draft, the No. 23 pick in the draft, they have Anfernee Simons. What can you go get in the marketplace to make this team better? And if nothing comes about, I do think Damian Lillard would have to look very hard at his future in Portland.”

According to NBA reporter Marc Stein, Portland would be open to trading Simons for the No. 3 pick in order to add talent that can help the team win now while maintaining Lillard as its star player.

However, Charania suggests that a trade might become more feasible if the Blazers are unable to find sufficient value in a pre-draft transaction and emphasized that the Heat would be at the top of the list of potential recipients.