Lillard on Heat’s mind? Richardson had no choice but to mention Blazers star: ‘Either way, I think we’ll be able to compete.’

MIAMI — Well, this was awkward.

Appearing Wednesday at the Miami Heat’s basketball camp at Slam Miami Heat school, Josh Richardson was asked the usual assortment of questions from the assembled youth, from how tall he was to how old he was to what position he played.

And then came one seemingly as benign.

“Who’s the best player you’ve played against?”

The answer created a palpable pause.

“It’s funny you asked me that,” the then-and-again Heat guard said with a smile. “Damian Lillard.”

From there, Richardson detailed the unique skill set of the Portland Trail Blazers guard who is seeking a trade to the Heat, mentioning the offensive aggression and deep shooting range of the 33-year-old All-Star.

“It’s the truth.” Richardson said privately later of his candor. “I’m not going to lie about it.”

A name publicly unspoken in Heat circles due to the realities of Lillard not only being under contract to the Trail Blazers but also of heightened league inspection of the process, Lillard has become somewhat intertwined with Richardson.

Having worn No. 0 during his previous Heat tenure, Richardson has been forced to put his numerical decision on hold. In fact, for Wednesday night’s appearance throwing out the first pitch ahead of the Miami Marlins’ game, Richardson settled on wearing No. 2.

“It’s life,” Richardson said of being digit-less at the moment. “I mean I’m not really pressed about it. I mean, I don’t have a number right now, we’re not playing games. Once training camp starts, then I’ll have a number.”

For now, Richardson’s impending role with the Heat remains in flux amid the uncertainty of a potential Heat trade for Lillard.

In the void of a Lillard trade, Richardson potentially could be cast either as a sixth man or further down the rotation behind a starting lineup of Bam Adebayo, Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Kyle Lowry and either Caleb Martin or Kevin Love at power forward. Should Heat coach Erik Spoelstra elect to play Herro at point guard and keep Lowry in the reserve role where he closed last season, that could open the possibility of Richardson, 29, or Martin starting at shooting guard.

If Herro or both Herro and Lowry are sent out as matching salaries in a deal for Lillard, it would enhance the possibilities of a larger rotation or even starting role for Richardson.

“I mean, you know how Spo is, he’s kind of like, ‘I can put you out there and do anything,’ ” Richardson said of not sweating how the roster or his role ultimately could shake out. “So it’s kind of what I’m good at. I’m kind of a jack of all trades.

“Our talk was good before, but I’ll guess we’ll see more concrete once the games get started.”

Richardson said he is like everyone else when it comes to following the Lillard situation, without inside insight.

“I mean, it’s the same, honesty, the same news as everyone on the outside gets,” he said. “I’m probably going to find out if anything happens, on Twitter, just like everyone else does.

“I’m just working on my game, honestly, trying to make sure I’m ready. If something happens, great; if something doesn’t happen, great. Either way, I think we’ll be able to compete.”

It has been a circuitous path for Richardson to this Heat reunion, one on a two-year contract at the NBA minimum that includes a player option ahead of the second season.

After being drafted by the Heat at No. 40 out of Tennessee in 2015, Richardson was dealt on July 6, 2019 to the Philadelphia 76ers in the deal that delivered Butler to the Heat. Richardson then was dealt by the 76ers to the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 18, 2020 for Seth Curry. From there, Richardson was sent by the Mavericks to the Boston Celtics on July 21, 2021 for Moses Brown.

Richardson’s trade path continued when he was dealt by the Celtics to the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 20, 2022 for Derrick White. The Spurs then dealt Richardson to the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 9 this past season for Devonte Graham.

The whirlwind was completed with Richardson signing with the Heat on July 2.

Richardson’s $2.9 million salary for the coming season will be his lowest since he earned $1.4 million in 2017-18 with the Heat. He earned $11.6 million this past season.

“I mean, of course everybody wants to establish roots, just for lifestyle,” he said. “But, I mean, I don’t have a problem with collecting a check every couple of weeks and being paid to play basketball, ’cause I love it. So it doesn’t really bother me like where.

“But I love Miami. I love being back. So hopefully I play well and things go well. But we’ll see.”