My best attempt at a Dame-to-Miami trade that actually makes sense for all teams involved

Posting this now just in case the supposed report that the trade is imminent is indeed true. Made this awhile ago once DeAndre Ayton rumors were being floated.

[Here’s the screenshot of the trade](https://i.imgur.com/pUise6G.png)

Put into words, it’s a 4-team deal involving Portland, Miami, Phoenix, and Utah. I know, 4-team deals are rare but considering the amount of money involved, and players (like Herro) that only make sense on certain teams, I wouldn’t be shocked if four teams end up being involved in this.

The net effect of this trade is the following from each team’s perspective:

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**PORTLAND’S PERSPECTIVE**

OUT: Damian Lillard, Jusuf Nurkic

IN: DeAndre Ayton, Kyle Lowry, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Nikola Jovic, three MIA firsts (2026, 2028, 2030), two POR/MIA pick swaps (2027, 2029), one MIA 2nd rounder

—

**MIAMI’S PERSPECTIVE:**

OUT: Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry, Jaime Jaquez Jr, Nikola Jovic, four MIA firsts (2024, 2026, 2028, 2030), two POR/MIA pick swaps (2027, 2029), one MIA 2nd rounder

IN: Damian Lillard, Talen Horton-Tucker, one UTA first (2025 via MIN, lottery protected)

—

**PHOENIX’S PERSPECTIVE:**

OUT: DeAndre Ayton

IN: Jusuf Nurkic, Kelly Olynyk, one MIA first (2024)

—

**UTAH’S PERSPECTIVE:**

OUT: Kelly Olynyk, Talen Horton-Tucker, one UTA first (2025 via MIN, lottery protected)

IN: Tyler Herro

—

I believe that this makes sense from everyone’s perspective, and here’s why:

Utah was brought in for two major reasons: They have a need/use for a young, high-scoring guard like Tyler Herro. I believe he’d fit in well with Markannen, Kessler, and the timeline there. And they also can provide a 2025 first to Miami, which is critical because that then opens up **four** first rounders for Miami to be able to move without running into the Stepien Rule limitation. They also have the salary (THT, Olynyk) to make the money work out for all four sides. I believe that Herro is worth a lottery-protected first and those two players, especially to Utah. They leave happy.

The Suns moving DeAndre Ayton has been something rumored to happen, and Nurkic has been connected as the replacement. I believe Ayton is far more valuable than Nurkic as an asset, and so they’re getting some other things in addition in order to appeal to them. Olynyk provides more frontcourt depth, and a different stylistic look at center that would give them great versatility/optionality when it gets to the playoffs. They’re also getting Miami’s 2024 first which, with Dame/Jimmy/Bam, is expected to be a late, late first. But Phoenix will still like it because it gives them flexibility to make more moves later. IMO, they leave the trade happy as well.

For us, we get an actual good proven young player in Ayton, two decent prospects in Jaquez and Jovic (I actually really like Jaquez in particular for us), and enough picks and pick swaps to make the deal finally worth Dame’s value IMO. I’d be content with this return. People may have some reservation over Ayton’s contract, but his contract will be done by the time we have to pay Sharpe & Scoot. And, crucially, he fits positionally with what we’re trying to build. Also, Lowry is an expiring deal but I think he’d actually be great to have this year as a backup PG and veteran leader/mentor for Scoot.

For Miami, this is what it takes. Because of the money needing to work, they get THT in addition to Dame to give them another guy who can play for them. They keep Duncan Robinson and Caleb Martin and will still be a top-tier contender with the squad they’d now have.

Let me know what you guys think! I know this is a lot of moving pieces and perspectives to consider lol. Do you guys at least think this is an acceptable return for Dame?

by ajmcgill