While the Miami Heat have been waiting for the Portland Trail Blazers to decide they can’t hang on to disgruntled guard Damian Lillard any longer, the Heat have filled out their training camp roster. Twenty-one players have agreed to attend the Heat’s training camp when camp opens up at the end of the month. But the Heat have given themselves some flexibility in case they cannot pull off the blockbuster trade. They have 13 players on standard contracts, with Orlando Robinson holding a partial guarantee, and five have Exhibit 10 pacts. SIn other words, the Heat need to add one more player to a standard deal before opening night. Miami may have more open roster spots if they acquire Lillard.
NBA Rumors: Kelly Oubre Linked To Miami Heat, Two Other Teams Interested
With Christian Wood joining the Los Angeles Lakers, Kelly Oubre Jr. is now the hottest name on the open market. NBA Insider Marc Sten, via his Stein Line substack, is reporting that there is a strong belief around the league that Oubre will ultimately sign with Miami. However, Stein wrote that the Heat would likely pursue Oubre if they land Lillard.
“Multiple teams I’ve spoken to recently expect free agent swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. to ultimately land with the Miami Heat … provided that the Heat are ultimately successful in their quest to trade for Portland’s Damian Lillard,” Stein wrote.
“The presumption is that Miami is likely to have a clear need on the wing if it can eventually manage the requisite trade package to pry Lillard from the Pacific Northwest after a frustratingly quiet summer on that front for the Heat.”
Speaking of the Lillard trade, while on “The Rally” TV show, The Athletic’s Shams Charania said that the Heat and Blazers will likely resume talks sometime before training camp.
“At this point… the only two training camps that Damian Lillard would report to, in theory: Portland and Miami.”
NBA Insider @ShamsCharania updates us on Damian Lillard. pic.twitter.com/zdUyUwWiko
— The Rally (@TheRally) September 11, 2023
An excellent scorer, Oubre is coming off his highest scoring season in 2022-23 at 20.2 points a game. He scored double-figures in 45 of 48 games last season for Charlotte, topping the 20-point mark 22 times and 30 points twice. The 27-year-old is a competent defender and solid rebounder. Oubre, who has scored 15-plus points in six of the last seven seasons, drained 2.3 treys a game and produced three double-doubles in 2022-23.
Oubre can play either the wing position or the four. He also is very comfortable starting or coming off the bench.
Going forward, Miami’s problem is that they are just $1.8 million under the super tax. Therefore, the Heat aren’t expected to use their $5 million taxpayer exception. This means they will only be offer Oubre the veteran minimum. Unless they can offload a lot of salary in a trade for Lillard.
Other Teams Interested
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Dallas Mavericks also have shown interest in Oubre. The Cavaliers have 13 players on standard contracts and could use a versatile player like Oubre. The Cavs are below the NBA’s luxury tax threshold. They are also $9.8 million below the first tax line.
While the Mavericks have previously been mentioned as a suitor for Oubre, it now seems less likely. The Mavs recently signed Derrick Jones Jr. to a guaranteed contract. The Mavs also reportedly have a nonguaranteed agreement with Markieff Morris.
So, Dallas theoretically still has one roster spot left and $5.4 million of their non-taxpayer exception left if they are inclined to use it. They have been rumored to be shopping Tim Hardaway Jr. and possibly Richaun Holmes.
Phoenix, Boston, Chicago, Atlanta, New York, Minnesota, and Sacramento are potential teams to watch. All seven teams are expected to be playoff or at least a play-in squad this year. Oubre has been to the postseason twice but not since the 2017-18 campaign. Oubre would be a good veteran bench addition for each of the squads.
Minnesota, Sacramento, and Phoenix all have 14 players on guaranteed contracts. Chicago, Boston, and New York have plenty of roster space. The Timberwolves and Knicks have their bi-annual exception available, while the Bulls have plenty of money left, including their $10.2 million disabled player exception for Lonzo Ball’s injury.
However, the Celtics would likely have to waive their three players with non-fully guaranteed deals — Luke Kornet, Svi Mykhailiuk, and Dalano Banton — to be able to use their mid-level tax-payer exception. Contrarily, Atlanta has 15 players with fully guaranteed contracts, though they are well below the luxury tax threshold, allowing them to use $9.6 million of their non-taxpayer exception.
