Why Miami’s failed star chase could lead to their next super team
By Cal Durrett
The NBA regular season is just weeks away, and the Miami Heat have been left to start their season without their top off-season target, Damian Lillard. The Heat struck out on Lillard, who was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal. Now, they are left with several players that they would have included in a deal for him, including Tyler Herro.
Herro has seen his name in trade rumors for the last three months, and while that comes with being a player in the NBA, it can’t be easy. In fact, based on his recent comments, those trade rumors could fuel him this season.
"“Honestly, my goal this year is to get my name untouchable. That’s my goal.” “At the end of this season, they won’t want to trade me. That’s my goal.” Herro said."
It should fuel him sense he was used as trade bait, and only a few teams, such as the Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, and Utah Jazz, appeared to be interested.
Perhaps they’ll be spared from his wrath, though the Portland Trail Blazers, who apparently weren’t interested in him, and 25 other NBA teams might not be.
"“I’m glad Portland didn’t want me. I just don’t want to be in Portland. So it’s not personal with Portland, at all. My value maybe has decreased in people’s eyes, but I’m a better player than I was last year, so there’s no way my value has decreased.” Herro told the Sun-Sentinel."
A motivated Herro could quickly change his status from Miami’s biggest trade chip to one of Miami’s biggest assets.
Miami needs Herro to prove everyone wrong if they hope to build another title team.
Despite the Heat’s incredible run to the NBA Finals without Herro last season, they probably aren’t getting anywhere close without him this season. After all, the Heat lost two starters from that team and their best player, Jimmy Butler, is now 34. He also has a lot of mileage on his knees after being run into the ground in Chicago and deep playoff run after deep playoff run in Miami.
Beyond keeping Herro and him becoming a star, being shut out of the Lillard trade could help the Heat in other ways. With Giannis Antetokounmpo seemingly staying put in Milwaukee, Miami can focus their efforts on a star such as Donovan Mitchell. Mitchell is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and could decide to leave Cleveland for Miami.
That would potentially require a sign and trade, and the assets that Miami would have used in a Lillard swap can instead go to adding a 27-year-old star. Butler will be 35 by then and Mitchell could take over as Miami’s first option with Bam Adebayo and hopefully Herro ready to also take on bigger roles to offset Butler’s eventual drop-off.
Ultimately, despite Miami striking out at acquiring Lillard, they may be better for it in the long run. A motivated Herro plus preserving their assets to pursue a younger star could result in a new Miami super team and that is exactly what’s needed for them to win their fourth championship.