Damian Lillard could potentially get in the way of the Washington Wizards' plans for Bradley Beal.
The Miami Heat, which has reportedly discussed a Beal trade with the Wizards, would prefer the Portland Trail Blazers guard over Beal "if they had the choice," NBA insider Marc Stein reported on his Substack Saturday.
Lillard, who wants to play for a competitive team, is "not interested" in waiting for Portland to draft youth, The Athletic's Jason Quick reported in April. The Trail Blazers missed a second consecutive postseason this spring.
If the Blazers choose to use their No. 3 pick instead of packaging it in a trade deal for a veteran, Lillard could decide to seek a trade. Miami "would surely be at or near the top of Lillard's list of preferred destinations," Stein reported.