Damian Lillard requested a trade from the Portland Trail Blazers earlier this offseason and wanted to be traded to the Miami Heat.
However, after months of rumors, Lillard was ultimately traded to the Milwaukee Bucks instead.
It was a disappointing day for Heat fans, who had already started dreaming of the seven-time NBA All-Star playing for them.
The Heat apparently backed out of the deal due to the Trail Blazers’ demand of needing a huge offer, one that would have certainly included Tyler Herro.
Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra recently shared his thoughts on the rumors surrounding Herro’s future with the team via SiriusXM NBA Radio on Twitter.
“The part I didn’t like was that I was away, and I wasn’t able to connect until I got back here,” Spoelstra said.
"The part I didn't like was that I was away, and I wasn't able to connect until I got back here"
🔊 Erik Spoelstra stresses the importance of having a conversation with Tyler Herro while the Damian Lillard trade discussions were ongoing #HEATTwitter@raf_tyler| @TheJaxShow pic.twitter.com/z2JkcUwE86
— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) October 17, 2023
Spoelstra was busy finishing his commitment as the assistant coach of Team USA at the 2023 FIBA World Cup when rumors about Herro getting traded from the Heat were at their peak.
Ultimately, the organization didn’t indulge in a trade with the Trail Blazers and kept Herro on the roster.
Herro averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game for the Heat last season.
He’s undoubtedly a crucial member of the team’s core, and his absence was one of the primary reasons why the Heat failed to win the 2023 NBA championship.
In the 2023-24 season, Herro will once again have the chance to prove his worth to fans.
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