Three months ago, Miami was coming off an NBA Finals run where they struggled to score against Denver. The Heat needed a scoring boost, and it felt like they would get exactly what they needed to push them over the top in the East when Damian Lillard requested a trade to them.
Fast forward, and not only is Miami stuck with the same roster, but the Blazers facilitated trades that would improve contending teams that Miami defeated in the playoffs. Following the blockbuster trade sending Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks for Jrue Holiday and draft picks, the Blazers have traded Holiday to the Boston Celtics for Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams III, and two first-round picks.
The Bucks were viewed as the title favorite upon acquiring Lillard, but oddsmakers now favor the Celtics after the acquisition of Holiday. They still have work to do toward fortifying the backend of the roster, while the Blazers still have more moves to make that would further increase their surplus of draft picks.