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Image credits – Imago
Tyler Herro,23, has been with the Miami Heat ever since he entered the league back in 2019. This almost changed for the young point guard, who thought he might be let go during the offseason trade. Damian Lillard, who had been with the Portland Trail Blazers for 11 years wanted out and was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks during the off-season trade. Before this was finalized, there was word getting around that Damian could end up in the Heat.
This could’ve potentially taken Tyler’s spot and he began sweating bullets unsure of his future in the team. He had also just moved into a $10.5 million mansion with his family in the Pinecrest neighborhood in Miami. This would all come crumbling down if Damian made his way into the Heat.
Tyler Herro was prepping to bid farewell to teammates
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For months leading up to Damian’s shift to the Bucks, Tyler remained in the dark about his fate in the team. Towards the end of this ordeal, just before everything unfolded, Heat’s coach Erik Spoelstra had invited Tyler for lunch just to catch up.
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NBA, Basketball Herren, USA Playoffs-Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks Apr 16, 2023 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro 14 injures his hand while diving for a loose ball against the Milwaukee Bucks during game one of the 2023 NBA Playoffs at Fiserv Forum. Milwaukee Fiserv Forum Wisconsin USA, EDITORIAL USE ONLY PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMichaelxMcLoonex 20230416_anw_ma9_02005
This was when Erik put Tyler’s worries to bed and broke the news that Damian had been traded to the Bucks and not to Miami. This was like music to Tyler’s ears, who could now breathe a sigh of relief from everything that had been building up over the months. Prior to finding out the good news, Tyler recalls thinking that he should probably start packing and bid goodbye to teammates, “I damn near had my s**t packed up.”
Damian Lillard, on the other hand, blended into the Bucks, especially with teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo. The fans already had a nickname for the duo, ‘Freak Time.’
However, for Tyler, this wouldn’t be the only time his name would come up in a trade rumor.
A similar incident
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In fact, Tyler had gone through a similar situation where his name was on the line last summer when he was the subject of trade rumors involving Kevin Durant and Donovan Mitchell.
“I think my name just gives people something to talk about every summer,” a frustrated Tyler said. He continued, “The goalpost always moves with me. At first, they said I wouldn’t be a 20-point scorer, then I’m a 20-point scorer. I don’t know what the hell they say now, but I’m sure there’s something.”
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Trade rumors in the NBA take a toll on the players, and Tyler’s incident is a testimony to just how the NBA trade is full of surprises, keeping both players and fans on edge. What are your thoughts on the Damian Lillard to Bucks trade? Let us know in the comments below.