Damian Lillard Trade: Could Mavs Be 3rd Team for Tyler Herro?
More than two months ago, Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard requested a trade to start the NBA offseason off with a bang. The only problem, though, is that Lillard only wants to go to one team and one team only: the Miami Heat.
Such a demand has dampened the trade market for the 33-year-old All-Star, and as a result, we're more than a week into September, and a deal still hasn't materialized.
If the Blazers ultimately decide to grant Lillard's wish, they would reportedly rather re-route Heat guard Tyler Herro to a third team instead of keeping him for themselves. Is this where the Dallas Mavericks could come into play? We suppose that depends on what they think of Herro’s potential going forward.
In 67 games for the Heat last season, the 23-year-old guard averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 37.8 percent from deep. Herro has four years remaining on his contract worth a total of $120 million.
Herro might be overpaid due to his limitations on the defensive end, but if Portland persists on not wanting him, it wouldn’t hurt for the Mavs to throw their name in the hat if the price is right. In theory, this three-way trade could work out well for Dallas:
Mavs receive: Tyler Herro. Heat receive: Damian Lillard. Blazers receive: Tim Hardaway Jr., Richaun Holmes, Duncan Robinson, Jaime Jaquez Jr., three first-round picks and two pick swaps (from MIA).
Although the Mavs are still hoping for an opportunity to trade for a veteran starting center at some point before the season begins, taking on Herro as a third team in a Lillard trade would make a little more sense if Tim Hardaway Jr. is redirected to Portland. Dallas has shopped Hardaway on the trade market for the last few years, so it wouldn't be a shock if he is eventually included in a trade of some kind.
The real prizes for the Blazers in this deal would be intriguing rookie prospect Jaime Jaquez Jr., the three first-round picks and two pick swaps. We'd have to imagine the Blazers wouldn't be too excited to take back Hardaway, Richuan Holmes and Duncan Robinson in a deal sending off their franchise superstar ... but again, the trade market has been suppressed due to Lillard being willing to play for only one team.
Perhaps the Blazers should rethink their stance on Herro. If they don't though, the Mavs should at least due their due diligence with just a few weeks remaining before training camp gets underway.
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