Heat president Pat Riley is not in Las Vegas and not expected to attend the team’s summer league games for the duration of the event, per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
This is only news because the Heat have been linked to Trail Blazers star guard Damian Lillard and Vegas is often where potential deals are discussed for the league’s 30 team executives.
That’s not to say the Heat won’t be talking to the Blazers. Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, has repeatedly said that Miami is the only place Lillard wants to play next.
Also, Winderman reported that Heat GM Andy Elisburg is the team’s salary-cap guru and is indeed in Vegas.
Still, it is believed Blazers GM Joe Cronin intends to take his time on a Lillard trade and that for the Blazers, other teams besides the Heat remain in play. This is despite all the discouragement from Goodwin.
As we relayed here, the Blazers are reportedly seeking around four first-round draft picks and two players in exchange for Lillard. The Heat may be making everyone outside of star wing Jimmy Butler and big man Bam Adebayo — with guards Kyle Lowry and Tyler Herro, small forward Duncan Robinson and rookie forward Jaime Jaquez among those being mentioned in potential Lillard deals.
“I had a positive conversation with Joe and I made it clear that Damian would want [the Blazers] to sit down and have a meaningful negotiation with Miami,” Goodwin told Aaron Fentress of the Oregonian. “And I think that’s something that Joe and the Blazers will do.”
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