Everybody should chase a championship

Apparently it starts with point guards

Gary Payton talked with Ira Winderman recently about Damian Lillard’s potential move to Miami.

Payton, who signed deals with the Lakers in 2003 and Heat in 2005 in the bid to secure an NBA title, has little-to-zero issue with No. 0 taking his talents to South Florida, where Payton won his ring:

“Everybody should chase a championship,” Payton said. “Why are we playing basketball? That is the whole object of playing basketball.”

Payton turned down millions to sign with the Lakers and inked a minimum deal in Miami, no regrets. Lillard’s situation is different, he is owed $45.6 million next season and after the last Collective Bargaining Agreement, salaries kinda have to match in any trade.

Unlike GP, Dame doesn’t go away after a season. He makes $48.79 million in 2025 before a two-year and $121.78 million contract extension carries Lillard through 2026 and 2027. A third of the rising cap to a 36-year old, one-way point guard.

But Miami, which watched Gabe Vincent flee to the Lakers and Kyle Lowry tack a few more charges onto his 18-year ledger, needs a point guard. Miami left themselves incomplete, and the Heat are not alone.

MIAMI HEAT

Say the Bulls somehow clung onto a win (stop laughing) in last April’s Play-In.