Paul Pierce: Heat 'Won't Make It out of the 1st Round' with Damian Lillard Trade

The Miami Heat have been to three of the last four Eastern Conference Finals and two NBA Finals during that span and could be adding Damian Lillard to the core.

But Paul Pierce doesn't think they will make it past the first round next season if they do.

"They won't make it out of the first round," he said during a discussion with Tracy McGrady and Rachel Nichols for Showtime when talking about the Heat with the hypothetical addition of Lillard.

Pierce highlighted how important depth is for a playoff run and noted Gabe Vincent and Max Strus both went elsewhere this offseason. Presumably, players such as Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson would also be gone in a trade that brings Lillard to Miami, further undercutting the depth.

Still, a core of Lillard, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would be tough to beat.

Throw in arguably the best coach in the NBA in Erik Spoelstra and a history of organizational success when it comes to finding role players who can thrive—which McGrady and Nichols pointed out—and it is difficult to envision the Heat losing in the first round.

But Pierce, who famously battled Miami in multiple playoff series during his career and could have an element of bias, thinks the team will be in for an early exit.