The Miami Heat are putting together a trade package for Damian Lillard that would include three or four first-round picks, sources told Shams Charania of The Athletic.

"The Heat have been preparing a trade package around three-to-four first-round draft picks, potential draft swaps, as well as second round picks...a young player potentially," said Charania on The Rally. 

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald also reported earlier in the day that the Blazers have been acting disinterested towards trading Lillard to the Heat. 

The Phoenix Suns do not currently have any trade options available for Deandre Ayton that would maintain or improve their title odds, sources tell Zach Lowe of ESPN.

Ayton and the Suns have had tension for several years stemming from his lack of extension in 2021 after he was critical in their Finals berth. Ayton's relationship with Monty Williams subsequently deteriorated but the Suns still matched his offer sheet in restricted free agency with the Indiana Pacers.

The Suns have since parted ways with Williams and have new ownership in Mat Ishbia. Frank Vogel is attempting to repair the relationship with Ayton as he begins his first season as head coach. 

The New Orleans Pelicans have been looking to add another center this offseason. Jonas Valanciunas is in the final season of his contract. Valanciunas has sought an extension, but none has come from the Pelicans as of yet.

New Orleans has had rumored interest in Jarrett Allen of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Isaiah Stewart II of the Detroit Pistons. Allen has three years and $60 million (at a flat $20 million per year) left on his contract. Stewart is in the final year of his rookie scale contact, but inked a four-year, $60 million extension that starts with the 2024-25 season.

The NBA sent a memo to all 30 teams regarding comments surrounding the trade request by Damian Lillard and his agent Aaron Goodwin.

“Recent media reports stated that Damian Lillard’s agent, Aaron Goodwin, called multiple NBA teams to warn them against trading for Lillard because Lillard’s only desired trade destination is Miami. Goodwin also made public comments indicating that Lillard would not fully perform the services called for under his player contract if traded to another team.   

"We interviewed Goodwin and Lillard and also spoke with several NBA teams to whom Goodwin spoke. Goodwin denied stating or indicating to any team that Lillard would refuse to play for them. Goodwin and Lillard affirmed to us that Lillard would fully perform the services called for under his player contract in any trade scenario.  The relevant teams provided descriptions of their communications with Goodwin that were mostly, though not entirely, consistent with Goodwin’s statements to us.   

"We have advised Goodwin and Lillard that any future comments, made privately to teams or publicly, suggesting Lillard will not fully perform the services called for under his player contract in the event of a trade will subject Lillard to discipline by the NBA.  We also have advised the Players Association that any similar comments by players or their agents will be subject to discipline going forward.”

The trade kicker in the supermax contract signed by Jaylen Brown with the Boston Celtics is for less than the 15 percent maximum allowed. Brown is not eligible to be traded until the 2024 offseason.

Brown will also be on a six-month pay schedule rather than the NBA's typical 12-month. Brown will receive more of his money upfront. 

Brown and the Celtics agreed to a five-year, $304 million extension.

The Dallas Mavericks are focused on upgrading the center position, according to Marc Stein of Substack.

While the Mavs recently discussed a potential trade for Bojan Bogdanovic, their priority remains looking for a center.

It was rumored last week that the team remains interested in trading for Clint Capela. They also have not ruled out a sign-and-trade involving Christian Wood.  

The Phoenix Suns remain interested in trading for T.J. McConnell of the Indiana Pacers, sources tell Marc Stein.

The Suns have no readily tradeable players currently on their roster until December 15th when new free agent signings become trade eligible.

McConnell is hopeful of remaining with the Pacers. McConnell, who is represented by Mark Bartelstein and Kieran Piller, cannot become a free agent until 2025.

The Sacramento Kings never offered Tyrese Haliburton as part of a package to the Philadelphia 76ers for Ben Simmons, sources told Marc Stein.

The Kings were rumored to be interested in trading for Simmons during the 21-22 season and eventually traded Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis.

The Kings turned into a playoff team last season with Sabonis having an All-NBA season, while Haliburton emerged as an All-Star with the Indiana Pacers and would have likely been a better long-term fit for the Sixers than James Harden. 

Haliburton signed a five-year designated max extension with the Pacers that could be worth up to $260 million.

Mikal Bridges expects the Brooklyn Nets to begin the 23-24 season with essentially their current roster. The Nets re-signed Cam Johnson this offseason and are not expected to seriously pursue a trade for Damian Lillard.

“Yeah, pretty much, I think so. And I’m pretty excited about it,” Bridges told The Post. “I mean, I love the guys that we’ve got, just bring everybody back and finally go through preseason and new coaching staff and for Jacque [Vaughn] just to have his preseason and have his coaching staff whoever he wants and put what he wants coming in for him.

“I kind of forget when I got traded there that he came in because Steve [Nash] got fired, so he had to kind of [stand pat]. [Last season], he had that awkward where it’s not really all you because the assistant and the head [coach], you guys can have the same things but people have different type of schemes and foundations and stuff.

“So, just excited for him to have a preseason, have his guys he wants around and pretty much have it his way. And I’m excited for us to all be together and have these schemes from jump, [instead of] being thrown out there with three different teams in one lineup and just trying to go figure it out. So I’m definitely excited.”

The Nets could still consider trading either Royce O'Neale or Dorian Finney-Smith for a future pick in order to leverage their depth on the wing.

The San Antonio Spurs have interest in trading for Evan Fournier, sources told Ian Begley of SNY.

The Knicks have balked at adding additional draft compensation to trade Fournier thus far.

The Spurs would have to send back additional salary in a deal to satisfy trade rules. 

It was reported earlier that the Knicks remain engaged on trading Fournier.