Hello there, it’s your friendly neighborhood Miami Heat lunatic, slinking from the catacombs of the NBA trade machine to offer you a trade that will aggravate you. After the mental gymnastics that a caffeine addiction, free time, and a never-say-impossible attitude on the machine lends itself to, I have produced a Hail Mary for your judgment.
The simplicity of the trade beautifully clashes with the complexities of the off-court optics. But I have brushed off the cobwebs of the three-team deals and found the light in this simplicity.
Maybe I’m swimming towards the fresh air; perhaps the light is reflecting off glass at the bottom of the ocean, and ultimately, permanently sinking my fool’s mission. Nevertheless, here it is – Tyler Herro for Kevin Porter Jr.… and straight up.
Hold the applause—first, the problematic optics.
KPJ is the ultimate longshot
Porter is as tantalizing a prospect, as he was just a few years ago at USC. He is a 6’6” two-three hybrid guard with great length and size.
Back then, he shot 50 percent in a limited role and could command an offense or play off-ball. That, too, is when the trouble started.
In his one season with the Trojans, Porter faced a team-imposed suspension for conduct issues. Like his upside, the problems followed him to the NBA after the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted him in 2019.
The Miami Heat will probably make a move soon. One that could be very high risk and just as rewarding is Tyler Herro for Houston’s Kevin Porter Jr., straight up.
It started with a traffic stop that resulted in weapons charges and possession in 2020. This was followed by veiled Tweets that eluded to suicide, which concerned people across the internet and NBA, along with the Cavs.
Shortly after this episode, Porter returned to the team to have an immediate confrontation because of a locker move, a literal relocation of his locker in the locker room. Shortly after that, Porter was shipped out to the Houston Rockets.
Soon after, he served a game suspension for breaking COVID protocols at a strip club (he also dropped a 50-point game after in the most James Harden-like performance of the century). Exactly like his collegiate season, Porter’s off-court problems and seemingly spastic temperament offset his tantalizing measurables and raw talent.
There is a lot of risk putting this man on Miami beach. But…those tantalizing measurables and raw talent.
The Hail Mary potential
Yeah, it is a risk, but life is a risky game friends. Following a largely troubling season, Herro’s hot streak in May might just be what puts him at his top value right now.
An aggressive scorer would be huge for the Heat and Porter responded to almost doubling his shot attempts in Houston by averaging 42 percent from the field. He is a big guard that can get to the rack, already sharp and becoming crisper with his handle to pair with his size.
If he stays locked in, he could transform into a poor man’s Zach LaVine. He will be with a leader in Jimmy Butler to focus him and lined up on the court with Butler and Bam Adebayo; meaning can stay hidden on the defensive side.
Did I mention that he is also only 20 years old? Yes, he could come in and try and punch Goran Dragic after someone moves his smoothie.
But… He could also become a microwave off the bench. Go for gold Miami Heat, Trophy Gold, go for KPJ.