The Miami Heat are in hot pursuit of Damian Lillard – pun intended. Everyone around the NBA knows that Miami is interested in the star point guard. Moreover, it seems to be generally accepted that they’d be willing to move Tyler Herro to get him.
Fair enough. The Heat are fresh off of an NBA Finals run – and Herro didn’t participate. He was injured for their entire run to the Finals. Now, it’s fair to question whether the Heat really need him.
Could they be willing to move him for a player besides Lillard? We’re not sure. Herro is a quality shot creator who’s still young enough to improve. On the other hand, Herro is a volume scorer. That’s a brand of basketball that has an inconsistent track record of producing wins. Could the Toronto Raptors flip O.G. Anunoby for Herro anyway?
The Trade Proposal
Toronto Raptors Receive: G Tyler Herro, 2029 First-Round Pick (MIA)
Miami Heat Receive: F OG Anunoby, F/C Thaddeus Young
Let’s talk a little more about volume scorers. Some people love this archetype, and others hate it. The truth, as usual, is somewhere in the middle. Volume scorers can be among the best players in the NBA, and they can also be detrimental.
Take Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. At the beginning of his career, he was widely viewed as a losing player. Sure, Booker was talented – but how far can a team go with a scorer? Booker answered those questions resoundingly. Now, Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets faces the same scrutiny.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
On the other hand, Herro probably won’t be as productive as Booker. He doesn’t have the athletic gifts to match Green’s upside. With that in mind, volume scorers who aren’t elite can have a tendency to gum up a team’s offense. Should the Raptors really acquire a player like Herro?
Why The Toronto Raptors Do The Deal
Well, a team does need someone who can create in half-court sets. That’s been an issue for the Raptors in recent years. This team has a lot of talent, but they struggle to score against a set defense.
Herro has a knack for doing that. Meanwhile, it’s not as if the Raptors would be building around him. If this team is rebuilding, the offense will run through Scottie Barnes – and Herro would be a perfect compliment to him. If they’re simply retooling, Herro is a compliment to both Barnes and Pascal Siakam. This is a player who fills a need for the Raptors – whether he’s your preferred archetype or not.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
Meanwhile, the Raptors are landing an unprotected first as well. Anunoby is the most impactful player in this deal, so the Raptors need extra compensation. Should the Heat give so much up for Anunoby?
Why The Miami Heat Do The Deal
Some will see this deal as odd for Miami. Sure, they’re willing to move Herro for Damian Lillard. He’s a point guard. Anunoby is not. Is Miami really likely to move Herro for a wing?
Let’s think a little more broadly. The Heat just made the NBA Finals without Herro. So, why not use Herro to upgrade their roster? Anunoby would be a tremendous upgrade. He’s among the very best 3-and-D wings in the NBA. He’s a skeleton key of a player who would make any team better – including the Heat.
NBA TRADES, NEWS & RUMORS: OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors & Miami Heat Updates
Meanwhile, Miami could have used Young in the NBA Finals this year too. Often, the Heat were forced to choose between too slow (Kevin Love) and too small (Caleb Martin) at the 4. Young would have been a good option in terms of matching up with Denver. All told, this deal gives Miami a better roster – even if they aren’t landing Damian Lillard.
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