The NBA world is currently watching and waiting. Something big is about to happen. Mostly, we’re referring to the Damian Lillard situation. He’s requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, he’s allegedly only interested in joining the Miami Heat.
This puts the Blazers in a bind. They don’t seem to be interested in Tyler Herro. That’s understandable. The Blazers have their share of young guards already.
Yet, the Heat don’t have a competitive offer for Lillard that doesn’t include Herro. So, they need tor find a third team that’s interested in taking him. Recently, the Toronto Raptors have emerged as a potential suitor for Herro. Could they cut out the middleman and trade for Herro directly?
The Trade Proposal
Miami Heat Receive: G/F Gary Trent Jr., F/C Chris Boucher, C Christian Koloko, 2026 First-Round Pick (TOR)
Toronto Raptors Receive: G Tyler Herro
Meanwhile, Toronto’s apparent interest in Herro isn’t the only thing keeping them in the rumor mill. Damian Lillard may be the most talked about trade target of the summer. With that said, Pascal Siakam could be the runner-up. Only James Harden is providing him with any competition.
Yet, Siakam is younger. He’s easier to fit into a wider range of systems. All told he’s the ultimate consolation prize behind Lillard.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Tyler Herro, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
Will the Raptors move him? That’s a difficult call to make. This team has plenty of incentives to start rebuilding, but it’s been reported that they’re difficult to strike a deal with. Should the Heat make this deal with them?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Of course, the Heat are coming off of an NBA Finals run. It could be argued that they don’t need to make any major changes this summer. On the other hand, they’ve already made some major changes. All of them have been losses. The Heat have lost Max Struss and Gabe Vincent in free agency.
With that in mind, they’ll be lacking depth next season. Trent Jr. makes up some of it. He’s suitable to play a similar role that each departed Heat player played.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Tyler Herro, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
Meanwhile, Boucher could give the Heat some much-needed size and weak side shot blocking at the 4. Finally, Herro was absent for their entire Finals run. This deal comes at the expense of a player the Heat have proven that they don’t need. Should the Raptors want him?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
Sure. The Heat may not have needed Herro, but the Raptors do. Specifically, the Raptors could use a guard who can create his own shot in half-court sets. Herro specializes in that area. He can space the floor for this team’s playmaking forwards, and generate offense from scratch.
Is this a significant cost? Sure. The Raptors already owe their next first-round pick to the San Antonio Spurs with protections. If they made this deal, they’d likely go without a first-round pick in two of three consecutive drafts.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: Tyler Herro, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
So, if they’re trading Siakam, they shouldn’t do it. On the other hand, if the Raptors prefer to stay competitive, they could value a young scoring guard like Herro over that draft capital. For now, all we can do is watch and wait.
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