As the Miami Heat await a potential decision from the Portland Trail Blazers on disgruntled guard Damian Lillard, they have been busy shaping their training camp roster.

A total of 21 players have committed to attend the Heat’s training camp, set to open at the end of the month. However, in case the blockbuster trade for Lillard doesn’t materialize, the Heat have ensured flexibility within their roster. They currently have 13 players on standard contracts, with Orlando Robinson holding a partial guarantee, and five players with Exhibit 10 pacts. In essence, the Heat need to secure one more player on a standard contract before the opening night, and they might have additional roster spots if they acquire Lillard.

With Christian Wood’s move to the Los Angeles Lakers, Kelly Oubre Jr. has become one of the most sought-after names in the free-agent market. According to NBA Insider Marc Stein, writing on his Stein Line substack, there’s a strong belief in the league that Oubre will eventually sign with the Miami Heat. However, Stein noted that the Heat’s pursuit of Oubre would likely depend on their success in acquiring Damian Lillard.

“Multiple teams I’ve spoken to recently expect free agent swingman Kelly Oubre Jr. to ultimately land with the Miami Heat … provided that the Heat are ultimately successful in their quest to trade for Portland’s Damian Lillard,” Stein wrote.

“The presumption is that Miami is likely to have a clear need on the wing if it can eventually manage the requisite trade package to pry Lillard from the Pacific Northwest after a frustratingly quiet summer on that front for the Heat.”

Regarding the potential Lillard trade, Shams Charania of The Athletic mentioned on “The Rally” TV show that the Heat and Blazers are likely to resume talks sometime before the start of training camp.

Oubre, known for his scoring prowess, is coming off a career-high scoring season in 2022-23, averaging 20.2 points per game. He registered double-digit scoring in 45 out of 48 games last season with Charlotte, reaching the 20-point mark 22 times and 30 points twice. The 27-year-old is a capable defender and strong rebounder, making significant contributions on both ends of the floor. Oubre, who has recorded 15-plus points in six of the last seven seasons, averaged 2.3 three-pointers per game and secured three double-doubles in the 2022-23 season.

Oubre possesses the versatility to play either the wing position or the power forward role and is comfortable starting or coming off the bench.

Looking ahead, the Miami Heat face financial constraints, as they are only $1.8 million below the luxury tax threshold. Therefore, they are not expected to utilize their $5 million taxpayer exception. This means that they can only offer Oubre the veteran minimum salary unless they can make significant salary moves in a potential trade for Lillard.