Jimmy Butler Posts Damian Lillard Song on Instagram Amid Heat Trade Rumors

Musical recruitment is the order of the day in the NBA.

With a litany of speculation connecting Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard to the Heat — especially in the wake of Portland drafting guard Scoot Henderson third Thursday evening — Instagram has become ground zero for Miami’s recruitment effort.

First, Lillard took to the platform Friday night and filmed himself listening to "Miami" by Will Smith at a French nightclub — an event his agent was quick to describe as just a coincidence.

Then, Heat forward Jimmy Butler posted a telling musical snippet on his story Saturday morning — an excerpt from "Money Ball," a track from Lillard's 2019 rap album Big D.O.L.L.A. featuring Jeremih, Danny from Sobrante and Derrick Milano.

Jimmy listening to Dame on his IG story 👀🤝 pic.twitter.com/Nt5QcjDGs3

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 24, 2023

Lillard has released four albums over the course of his music career, with three charting in some form or fashion. On the court, he averaged a career high 32.2 points per game for a Trail Blazers team that went 33–49 to register their third losing record in four years.

Miami, meanwhile, is seeking backcourt help after becoming the second No. 8 seed in history to make the NBA Finals.