The Heat were involved in several offseason rumors regarding their potential trade for big-name players. And in almost every scenario, shooting guard Tyler Herro was said to be included in potential trade packages. But team president Pat Riley firmly denied that Miami was shopping the core piece of their team.
“We have never shopped him and had no interest in ever trading the guy,” Riley said of Herro, according to the Associated Press. “But when you’re talking about acquiring one of the top five players in the league, there isn’t anybody on our team that won’t be discussed.”
The most well-known player the team was connected to was former Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard. The point guard had stated on several occasions he wanted to play for the Heat, but he was eventually dealt to the Bucks. Despite the rumors that Miami wanted to ship Herro to Portland, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported that Portland had no interest in acquiring him back in July.
Herro went on to take a not-so-subtle shot at the Trail Blazers as a result. He’ll be playing with a chip on his shoulder in the 2023–24 season.
“For the teams that didn’t want me, that’s on you. For the team’s that do want me, you’ll see why you want me,” he said.
