Damian Lillard on the mind but mostly left unspoken in Heat conversations
MIAMI GARDENS — The awkwardness is in the uncertainty.
During the NBA2K24 Summer League in Las Vegas, it was the Portland Trail Blazers’ next generation ducking questions about what life potentially will be like for the franchise without All-Star guard Damian Lillard, putting first-round picks Scoot Henderson and Shaedon Sharpe somewhat on the defensive.
Wednesday, at a Miami Heat youth clinic ahead of the Rolling Loud music festival at Hard Rock Stadium, it was a dance that had to be handled by a member of the Heat’s present and one from its past.
For now, with trade talks between the Heat and Blazers in limbo, in the wake of Lillard’s desires to be moved to South Florida, Haywood Highsmith and Udonis Haslem got to face the music ahead of what is self billed as “the largest Hip-Hop Festival in the World.”
For Highsmith, the Lillard machinations could lead to a redefined role with the Heat should combo forward Caleb Martin be sent out in a possible package for Lillard. In many ways, Highsmith stands as the closest facsimile to Martin on the current Heat roster.
“I mean, it’s a business, so you always expect things are going to happen in the offseason, so you never know,” Highsmith said, unable to mention Lillard by name since he is under contract to another team. “So I’m not really too worried about it right now.”
Highsmith was joined at Wednesday’s clinic for 50 children from the Miami Gardens’ camp “Life Skills & Summer Thrills” by former Heat captain Haslem, who retired at the end of this past season but remains involved with many of the Heat’s players.
“Due to my unemployment,” Haslem said with a smile, “I do not keep up with what is currently going on in that area.”
And yet it even was a talking point Wednesday from Rolling Loud founder Tariq Cherif.
“Damian Lillard come on baby, come on home, come to Miami,” Cherif said without prompting for the name.
He was asked then if he knew something about a Lillard deal that others didn’t, with Lillard having made an impact on the rap scene under the name Dame D.O.L.L.A.
“No,” Cherif said with a laugh.
But he said it all tied together ahead of Rolling Loud.
“You cannot underestimate the connection between rap music and basketball,” he said. “Basketball players want to be rappers and rappers want to be basketball players. And that’s just how the game goes.”
For his part, Highsmith, 26, actually is entering one of the most settled times of his career, with the Heat on Saturday fully guaranteeing his $1.9 million salary for the coming season.
“It’s a good step in the right direction for me,” he said. “I’m still developing, still trying to get better. Big things coming for me, I hope. I work hard this offseason, so definitely a good step in the right direction.”
After appearing in 54 games during the regular season, Highsmith had a pair of notable playoff games, including a 15-point game against the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals and then an 18-point game against the Denver Nuggets in the NBA Finals.
“Playoffs is the biggest stage of basketball and when my number was called I was ready,” he said. “I had two big games, even though we lost. But it definitely helped me as far as understanding that I belong here and I was here for a reason.
“I have a lot I can give to the team to help us win. So those games were big for me just confidence wise and knowing that I can do that consistently as well.”
Haslem in fact not only was at Highsmith’s side Wednesday, but also has committed to attending Highsmith’s youth basketball camp this weekend in Baltimore.
“So it’ll be nice to have him there, as well,” Highsmith said.
Haslem said Highsmith making it after going undrafted meant a bond for life.
“So that immediately makes the connection,” Haslem said. “It’s about when the season’s over, continue to connect with these guys.”
For Haslem, it will mean missing Rolling Loud.
Then again, he said at his age, he basically has aged out.
“I’m 43 years old,” he said with a smile. “I cannot keep up.”