The last few months have been a tumultuous time for Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro. He had to be happy about seeing his team go on a deep playoff run, as Miami made its way through the NBA Play-In Tournament all the way to the NBA Finals, where they lost to the Denver Nuggets.
Herro wasn’t a part of that run, as he was injured in the team’s first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks. It certainly had to hurt not being on the court with his teammates, as he worked hard all offseason to get injured at the very end.
It was something that led to many people discussing maybe the Heat are better off without Herro in the lineup. It was something that hurt the Kentucky product to hear, he believes the team just got hot and it wasn’t an indictment against him as a player.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
“I got hurt and obviously we went on a run,” Herro said. “So I don’t know if that changed people’s perspectives on the way that I play or my value. Nothing has changed. I haven’t gotten any worse. I’ve only gotten better, older, more experienced. And our team didn’t get better without me, we just started shooting better and making shots. We didn’t make shots all year. And I’m the best shooter on the team. So I don’t think with me sitting out affected our shooting percentage. I just think we started making shots.”
On top of that, his name was constantly put in trade rumors throughout the summer. It was no secret that the Heat were looking to make upgrades to their roster, as point guard Damian Lillard was their No. 1 target.
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Lillard and his representatives were doing everything in their power to get him to South Beach. That would have assuredly meant Herro being part of the trade package back to the Trail Blazers, but Portland reportedly didn’t have interest in taking him back. That is extra motivation for Herro heading into his fifth season in the NBA, as the feeling was mutual not wanting to be in Portland.
“I didn’t want to go to Portland, so I’m glad Portland didn’t want me,” Herro said. “I just don’t want to be in Portland. So it’s not personal with Portland, at all. I’m just happy to be on the court. I haven’t played since April. I broke my hand and I haven’t played since then, so I’m ready to play.”
NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: Tyler Herro, Miami Heat & Portland Trail Blazers Updates
Had a deal gotten done for Lillard heading to the Heat, a third and potentially fourth team would have gotten involved. Herro would have likely been shipped to that franchise instead with the Trail Blazers getting back as many draft assets as possible.
Ultimately, no deal was reached, keeping Herro with the Heat, for now. If they are going to continue seeking out major upgrades to the roster, he will assuredly be a part of those discussions again as one of the few tradeable assets the franchise possesses.
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