Tyler Herro went from unknown rookie to legitimate star over the course of the Miami Heat’s run to the NBA Finals this past season. Between his impressive shooting on the court and extraordinary game off it, the 20-year-old quickly became a household name.
Because of the value Herro now holds, many have wondered whether the Heat would consider flipping him for a more established star. It is no secret that the organization is hunting for another big piece to add alongside Jimmy Butler.
According to Zach Harper of The Athletic, the only players that Miami would accept in return for Herro are Giannis Antetokounmpo and Bradley Beal. Someone of Victor Oladipo’s caliber would apparently not suffice for team president Pat Riley. So unless the Milwaukee Bucks or Washington Wizards come calling, Herro is staying in South Beach.
“Prying him away from the Heat will take a very big star,” Harper wrote. “If they won’t give up Herro, then they’ll need to trade first-round picks starting in 2025 … If Nunn and cap flexibility are the players involved, those future picks will have to fly.
“If we throw Robinson into the mix, it becomes easier to not have to part with future picks. If Herro is involved, there is no need to attach future picks. It’s just hard to see Herro being involved unless they’re acquiring Giannis or Beal in a potential trade,” he continued.
“League sources believe a trade for Oladipo wouldn’t even consider including Herro on Miami’s end of it. ‘Riley hangs up.’”
Antonio Brown doesn’t mess around. https://t.co/6kepeWGtBV
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 25, 2020
It is easy to see why the Heat hold Herro in such high esteem. During the regular season, he averaged 13.5 points on 42.8 percent shooting, 4.1 rebounds and 2 assists per game. In the playoffs, those numbers turned into 16.4 points on 43.8 percent shooting, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Assuming Herro improves during the offseason and comes back in 2020-21 a more consistent player, he could essentially turn into the sort of star Miami has been hoping to add.
Big picture, Riley seems very happy with the Heat’s nucleus at this juncture. According to Harper, he would not even consider trading away Bam Adebayo regardless of the offer.
“Adebayo is pretty much off the board,” Harper noted.
That’s one way to do it. https://t.co/A8wvEa1kB7
— Game 7 (@game7__) October 26, 2020
“A league source tells The Athletic that the Heat ‘would hang the phone up with F-bombs ringing through the disconnected call’ if someone demanded Adebayo in a deal.”
Adebayo had a career-best year this season, earning an All-Star nod and posting 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, 5.1 assists and 1.3 blocks per game. Moreover, he showed the sort of versatility on both offense and defense that is incredibly difficult to find in players his size.
Between Butler, Adebayo and Herro, Miami has all the pieces necessary to make another run at the title next season. According to most odds makers, the Heat are roughly +1400 to win the NBA Championship in 2020-21. They generally sit behind the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers, Bucks, Boston Celtics, Golden State Warriors and Brooklyn Nets in most sports books.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
