Author: Monojit Mandal
In recent weeks, the Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers have been the focus of trade rumors in the NBA. The imminent departures of their main players, Pascal Siakam and Damian Lillard, have caused widespread speculation.
While Siakam’s future with the Raptors is unknown, Lillard is expected to be transferred sooner rather than later. Lillard and his agents have made it clear that the Miami Heat are his preferred destination, rejecting the idea of being transferred elsewhere. However, Miami’s offers failed to impress the Trail Blazers.
Portland may need to include a third club to close a deal, and the Raptors have emerged as a possible business partner in this difficult process. The Raptors would be looking for money in exchange for his services and are eyeing Tyler Herro from the Heat.
According to reliable sources, including HoopsHype’s Mike Scotto, the Raptors have expressed “exploratory interest” in including Tyler Herro in a larger three-team deal that would end up sending Lillard to Miami. Signing Herro would certainly meet Toronto’s urgent scoring needs.
Herro, who previously won the Sixth Man of the Year award, has been a standout offensive performer, averaging 20.4 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.1 assists per game. Herro’s scoring ability would help the Raptors a lot, as he shoots 44% overall and around 39% from beyond the arc.
Despite his defensive difficulties and injuries last season, Herro’s long-term contract, worth $120 million over four years, makes him an attractive prospect for the Raptors, who are aware of their budgetary limits. An up-and-coming, goal-scoring playmaker like Herro, who is only 23, could be a bargain at $30 million a year.
To make this deal happen, the Raptors would have to give up one of their most valuable assets, fueling additional rumors about Siakam’s future or sparking speculation of a trade for OG Anunoby. Herro, on the other hand, could potentially replace Gary Trent Jr. in the starting line-up and become an important attacking option when he arrives at the club.
While NBA fans await the outcome of these trade talks, it’s clear that the Raptors are aggressively looking for ways to improve their team, and the addition of Tyler Herro could greatly increase their scoring capacity.