Tyler Herro has already begun proving Pat Riley and the Miami Heat wrong about a decision that they almost went through during the NBA offseason. As many fans should be aware, this offseason was filled with trade discussions and rumors regarding Damian Lillard leaving the Portland Trail Blazers. After having been loyal to the franchise for a decade, Lillard made his desire to join the Miami Heat very clear.
Since acquiring Lillard would turn the Heat into instant title favorites, the Heat began to offer trade packages to the Portland Trail Blazers. The majority of them focused on moving Tyler Herro and other draft assets to the Blazer in return for Herro.
However, the Blazers clearly weren’t interested in this deal and ended up trading Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks in a three-team deal which included the Phoenix Suns. Being constantly involved in trade rumors must have undoubtedly had some effect on Herro.
Many NBA experts opined that he would have a breakout performance this season in order to prove the Heat wrong about trading him. Although the NBA season is yet to officially begin, Herro has already begun to prove his value to his organization. With that being said, let us take a closer look at the situation and find out more.
Can Tyler Herro help the Miami Heat make the NBA Finals once again?
Despite being a young star with a significant amount of talent and potential, Herro was instantly inserted into the various Damian Lillard trade discussions once the Heat got wind that Lillard was interested in joining their team. Although this might seem unfair to Herro, fans should remember that the Heat managed to make it all the way to the NBA Finals even though they lost Herro to a hand injury at the start of the NBA playoffs.
Since then, Herro has likely undergone a lot of rehabilitation and training to ensure that he is ready to play at a high level once the season begins. During a preseason matchup against the Charlotte Hornet. Herro managed to lead his team in terms of scoring and finished the night with 22 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists in just 24 minutes of playing time.
#HEATWin final – Miami 113, Charlotte 109
🔥 Herro: 22pts, 5rebs & 3asts
🔥 Swider: 17pts (5 3s)
🔥 Bryant: 15pts & 8rebs
🔥 Jaquez Jr.: 13pts & 7rebs
🔥 Adebayo: 13pts & 6rebs pic.twitter.com/2ASGbnTJeK— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) October 11, 2023
It is growing increasingly clear that Herro wants to show the Heat that they made a bad decision in offering to trade him in the first place. Although it is unclear if Miami will be able to make the Finals once again, even if Tyler is playing at an elite level, he will certainly be able to prove his value to his franchise if he continues to play at this level.