The Miami Heat are trying to acquire Damian Lillard from the Portland Trail Blazers. As it turns out, they are also interested in a coveted free agent.
The Miami Heat made an improbable run to the NBA Finals as the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference but were only able to win one game against the Denver Nuggets. With this, it was time for the Heat to take time during the offseason to figure out how they can make another deep run next year. As it just so happens, they are targeting Damian Lillard, who requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Not to mention, Lillard has the Heat as his preferred destination.
Miami would have to figure out how to take on his $45.64 million cap hit. As it turns out, they are also targeting a player in free agency.
Yahoo Sports' Jake Fischer noted in a June 28 article that Christian Wood is a player league personnel deem "as someone on the Heat's radar."
NBA Rumors: Christian Wood is reportedly on Heat's radar amid Lillard trade buzz
Wood remains unsigned after the opening of free agency on June 30. The 6-foot-9 center played with a variety of teams throughout his NBA career, starting with the Philadelphia 76ers, Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, New Orleans Pelicans, and Detroit Pistons.
In the past two seasons, Wood played for the Houston Rockets, where he averaged 19.1 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists while posting a 50.7 field goal percentage.
Last summer, Wood was traded to the Dallas Mavericks but found himself in a bench role. In 67 games played, Wood started in just 17, where he averaged 16.6 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks while putting up a 51.5 field goal percentage.
The Heat have lost a variety of players from their Eastern Conference Championship-winning team. Gabe Vincent is gone, signing a three-year, $33 million contract with the Los Angeles Lakers, while Max Strus is joining the Cleveland Cavaliers on a four-year, $63 million deal on a sign-and-trade.
While the Heat want Lillard, the Trail Blazers are reportedly "open for business everywhere in the league," and do not plan to exclusively cooperate with Miami.
Even though the talk might be surrounding Lillard, reports indicate that Miami is looking at potentially signing Wood.