Will Heat, Blazers make progress on Lillard deal in Vegas? And a Jaime Jaquez Jr. injury update

Damian Lillard’s position has not changed: The seven-time All-Star guard wants to be traded to the Miami Heat and nowhere else.

But so far, trade discussions between the Heat and Portland Trail Blazers have not produced a deal. Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, is hopeful the Heat and Trail Blazers can get together to have a meaningful conversation on finding a trade that works for both sides in the coming days, with executives from all 30 teams expected to be in Las Vegas for summer league action.

Heat general manager Andy Elisburg was scheduled to arrive in Las Vegas on Friday. However, Heat president Pat Riley is not currently expected to make the trip to Las Vegas, but an appearance at summer league has not been completely ruled out yet.

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Goodwin has advised other teams not to pursue a trade for Lillard because he only wants to play for the Heat.

“I do what I should for my client. Some teams I did call. Other teams have called me,” Goodwin told the Miami Herald on Thursday. “It’s a respectful relationship with most teams. Truthfully, he wants to play in Miami. Period.”

Why does playing for the Heat appeal to Lillard?

Lillard is close friends with Heat All-Star center Bam Adebayo, he’s intrigued by the possibility of playing alongside Adebayo and Jimmy Butler, and he sees an opportunity to be the missing piece on a championship roster. On the business side, no state income tax in Florida and an appealing market like Miami helps.

Lillard, who turns 33 on July 15, averaged a career-high 32.2 points per game while shooting 46.3 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from three-point range in 58 games for the Trail Blazers this past season. He ranked third in the league in scoring and 10th in assists at 7.3 per game.

During his 11-year NBA career (all with Portland), Lillard has averaged 25.2 points. 4.2 rebounds, 6.7 assists and one steal per game while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 37.2 percent from three-point range.

Lillard is under contract for the next four seasons. He’s due $45.6 million this upcoming season, $48.8 million in 2024-25 and $58.5 million in 2025-26 over the next three seasons, with a player option worth $63.2 million in 2026-27 that begins when he’s 36 years old.

JAQUEZ’S STATUS IN QUESTION

After injuring his shoulder early in Wednesday’s summer league loss to the Sacramento Kings at the California Classic, Heat rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr.’s status is in question for Las Vegas Summer League.

“Right now, I’m just day to day,” Jaquez said after Friday’s practice in Las Vegas. “Just kind of taking it slow right now, figuring out what the problem really is.”

The Heat opens Las Vegas Summer League on Saturday against the Boston Celtics at Cox Pavilion on UNLV’s campus (3 p.m., NBA TV). Every NBA team will play at least five summer league games in Las Vegas over the next 10 days.

“My goal is I want to play if I can,” said Jaquez, who was selected by the Heat with the 18th overall pick in last month’s draft. “I want to be out there with the guys and showcase what I can do. But at the same time, understanding that you got to take care of your body, as well. It’s just kind of finding that in between. But day-to-day right now.”

After opening summer league with an impressive performance that included 22 points in 22 minutes on Monday in the California Classic, he was limited to four points on 1-of-6 shooting from the field in 16 minutes before leaving his second summer league game early on Wednesday because of his shoulder injury.

“That’s just life,” Jaquez said. “You got highs, you got lows. First game, I was really happy how I performed and how the team performed. It was a great team effort. Then the second game in the first quarter, I go down. It happens like that sometimes. But you just got to keep moving forward and look ahead. I’m just trying to do whatever I can to get back on the floor right now.”

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra, most of Spoelstra’s coaching staff and assistant general manager Adam Simon were among those in attendance for Friday’s summer league practice in Las Vegas.

GOODBYE

With their departures becoming official after the NBA’s free agency moratorium lifted Thursday afternoon, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent said goodbye to the Heat.

Strus posted on his Instagram account: “To all of my teammates, coaches, fans, and the entire heat organization I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. These past 3 years have been nothing short of special. The memories we’ve made and the times we’ve had, I will cherish forever. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to develop into the player and the man I am today. Thank you for taking a chance on me when nobody else would. The good, the bad, the ugly, I wouldn’t change a thing about it.”

Vincent posted on his Instagram account: “First and foremost, I’d like to take a moment to thank the city of Miami and the entire Heat organization. You took a chance on an undrafted kid from Stockton, and together we made history. You embraced me and my family as your own, and for that alone, I’m eternally grateful. All the love and respect felt both on and off the floor is something I’ll forever take with me.”

As free agents, Strus signed a four-year contract worth $63 million to join the Cleveland Cavaliers and Vincent signed a three-year deal worth $33 million to join the Los Angeles Lakers.