OKC Thunder Could Help Facilitate Damian Lillard Trade for Miami Heat

With a potential Damian Lillard trade on the horizon, the Oklahoma City Thunder could get in the mix and help facilitate the trade.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard wants to play for the Miami Heat next season. He's officially asked for the trade -- something that's been looming for years now. The time has come, and with Lillard stating such a specific wish of where he'd like to play, the Blazers have no leverage.

Evidently, the potential trade is very intricate, and making it make sense for multiple parties will be very difficult. Oklahoma City could jump in the trade and help facilitate things around. 

All the Thunder would seemingly ask for is draft compensation down the road, even if that means second-round picks that won't mean much when they're made available. 

The Blazers could be heading toward a rebuild, but they don't want Tyler Herro from the Heat in a potential trade. This is where things get interesting. To help kickstart a rebuild -- alongside Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe -- the Blazers could benefit from additional draft capital or young players, two things the Thunder have to offer. 

The Thunder has a unique blend of draft assets and young talent waiting to be developed. This allows them to be linked as a potential trade partner for nearly every trade being made across the league. 

The Thunder owns the Heat's 2025 first-round pick, but there is a 1-14 protection on it that the Heat could rescind to help gain leverage in the trade. There's a variety of ways the Heat could benefit the Thunder that would turn the Trail Blazers to make a deal.

Sam Presti and the Thunder have the leverage here, though. They can make the trade happen in an instant, or they can hold out to find the best available package for themselves, using their leverage to win another trade.

If the Trail Blazers and Heat remain at a crossroads in trade talks, the Thunder -- and a potential fourth team -- could swoop in and save the day. With 19 standard contracts on the roster, the Thunder has at least four expendable players to move, too. 

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