Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Four teams emerge as potential suitors for Tyler Herro

By Adam Taylor | Last updated 9/23/23

Tyler Herro is the most likely makeweight if the Miami Heat strike a deal for Damian Lillard. The 2022 Sixth Man of the Year has been floated in trade rumors all summer.

However, the Portland Trail Blazers have been clear that Herro isn't moving the needle for them. As such, Miami is expected to expand its trade talks, hoping to bring in a third team.

According to Jake Fischer of Yahoo Sports, there are four teams that have registered interest in acquiring Herro via trade.

"If Portland ultimately does business with Miami, the Jazz — as well as the Bulls, Hornets and Nets — are considered a team interested in landing Tyler Herro from the Heat, sources said," Fischer wrote. "And there are plenty of executives who'd rather take Miami's best package, if the Heat are so willing, that could include Herro and Nikola Jović to go with Jaquez, Caleb Martin and more."

Adding a third team to trade talks makes things incredibly complicated. Each team needs to feel like they're getting their desired outcome. For Miami, that outcome is Damian Lillard. Yet, for Portland, it's likely young players and draft picks.

The Jazz, Bulls, Hornets and Nets are teams expected to show interest in Tyler Herro, per @JakeLFischer

“If Portland ultimately does business with Miami, the Jazz — as well as the Bulls, Hornets and Nets — are considered a team interested in landing Tyler Herro from the Heat,… pic.twitter.com/WGrY1eBqH6
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) September 23, 2023

In order for one of the four teams Fischer mentioned to be willing to facilitate a blockbuster deal, they will likely expect multiple "young veterans" in return.

Miami has been chasing Lillard all summer, so they're unlikely to balk at losing some of their young depth players as part of the deal.

Herro will be the biggest name heading away from Miami. The 23-year-old has been exceptional in recent seasons. Herro can create off the dribble, score across all three levels and has shown consistent improvement on the defensive end. A rebuilding team will likely view Herro as an immediate impact maker and long-term connector for their roster.

Lillard is going to cost Miami considerable depth, but the franchise has spent all summer on their pursuit of the veteran guard. Even if they wanted to, it's probably too late to turn back now, and that means Herro's tenure on South Beach is coming to an end.

More must-reads: