Damian Lillard Added To The List Of Superstars Pat Riley, Miami Heat Failed To Acquire

Damian Lillard was recently traded to the Milwaukee Bucks, adding him to the list of All-Stars the Miami Heat have failed to acquire, which includes Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell, Kyrie Irving, and Bradley Beal

After the Milwaukee Bucks traded for Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, the Miami Heat fan base has not gone easy on their organization's front office.

Over the past few offseasons, the list of stars who have shown interest in joining the Heat has only grown. Despite the desire, they have failed to acquire Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, and now Lillard.

Some fans discredit the acquisitions of LeBron James and Chris Bosh, stating Dwyane Wade is to thank for their arrivals. James and Bosh signed with Miami in the summer of 2010.

In consecutive offseasons, four superstars had the Heat on their shortlist of preferred destinations: Donovan Mitchell, Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Damian Lillard.

For Miami to somehow not land any of them is a failure of epic proportions.

It’s time to rightfully criticize… pic.twitter.com/W4pxdBJG0c

— Evan Sidery (@esidery) September 27, 2023

Lillard is arguably the most impactful of these losses because of Miami’s success without the other stars. Last season, the Heat were able to reach the Finals without the help of Mitchell, Durant, Irving, or Beal. However, replicating that level of success will be near impossible after losing contributors Gabe Vincent and Max Strus.

Pat Riley has now failed to acquire Lillard, Beal, Mitchell, Kyrie and KD.

He has failed Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo for the 3rd year in a row.

Dwyane Wade got Lebron in Miami, Pat Riley has never done anything to help this franchise. Absolutely embarrassing.

— 𝙃𝙚𝙖𝙩𝘾𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 (@WadexFlash) September 27, 2023

Their current roster is not up to par with that of previous seasons, which is why acquiring Lillard was so significant.

On the bright side, Miami retained guard Tyler Herro, who sustained an injury in Game 1 against the Milwaukee Bucks last postseason.

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Anthony Pasciolla is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at ampasciolla@gmail.com or follow him on Instagram @anthonypasci