Seven-year Miami Heat veteran Tyler Herro is all but certain to be traded away this summer, and the Heat are hoping for a superstar as part of the return. Herro's future in Miami has been on rocky ground for the past two seasons, with his name in trade rumors consistently.Â
It's time for Herro and the Heat to separate, despite the All-Star guard giving it everything he's been able to amid a slew of injuries that have sidelined him too much. The Heat already dangled Herro in a proposed trade package for Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo mid-season, but the trade attempt fell through.Â
The Heat are expected to make another run at Antetokounmpo, but if that chase comes up empty, there are other options, like Kawhi Leonard. The two-time champion is also expected to be traded from the Los Angeles Clippers this summer, and a recent Bleacher Report trade idea speculates the details of a trade with the Heat.
Bleacher Report projects the Miami Heat get Kawhi Leonard and more for Tyler Herro
No matter what kind of trade the Heat includes Herro in, the team on the other side should have its reservations. Herro's trade stock isn't exactly high these days, with some figures in the NBA, front office, and the media recently detailing why trading Herro might be difficult.Â
Nevertheless, the Heat really have no other option but to trade Herro; for his sake and theirs, he can't return to Miami next season. The Clippers could be a fit for Herro, but it would come at a high price. With Leonard being the superstar attached to Bleacher Report's latest mock trade, his injury history further underscores what Miami would give up, and it's a big risk.Â
According to Bleacher Report, the Heat would receive Leonard, Derrick Jones, and the No. 36 pick. Miami would give up Herro, Andrew Wiggins, the No. 13 pick, a 2030 first-round pick (top-four protected), and a 2031 first-round pick swap.Â
As far as draft picks go, that's a lot for a player who has had one solid year in the past six since joining the Clippers; it's a massive risk the Heat would be taking. But if the Heat are willing to take that risk, and a trade for Antetokounmpo falls through, Miami has very few options outside of Leonard.Â
When healthy, Leonard remains extremely lethal and dynamic, as was evident this past season. Again, though, it's one season. So the Heat would be banking on a few more years of the 2025-26 version of Leonard than the previous five years' version.Â
Of course, this is just one trade idea, among many. The Heat's preference appears to be Antetokounmpo above all else. That said, the Heat will have to contend with other teams, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets. Whoever can conjure up the most lucrative trade package will win. If Miami loses that battle, maybe Leonard is the next best option after all.Â
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