The upcoming season is expected to be an interesting one for the Portland Trail Blazers. While the acquisition of two-time NBA champion Jrue Holiday was significant in its own right, the Blazers managed to bring back a franchise hero in Damian Lillard after he was bought out by the Milwaukee Bucks.
While Lillard is expected to be sidelined next season, as he recovers from a recent injury, Portland appears to be on the verge of shifting its approach towards the future.
With Lillard out and Scoot Henderson still on a developmental trajectory, the Blazers could look to make further upgrades to their rotation, primarily to add more of a scoring punch.
To ensure Portland can add scoring and depth to its rotation, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley presented a trade idea with the Miami Heat involving Heat star Tyler Herro. Here’s Buckley’s trade scenario:
Proposed Trade Details
Portland Trail Blazers Receive: Tyler Herro, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Terry Rozier
Miami Heat Receive: Jerami Grant, Shaedon Sharpe, Robert Williams III, 2029 first-round pick (most favorable of POR, BOS and MIL)
Buckley’s trade proposal presents a drastic shift in approach for both teams involved. Keeping this in mind, we explore the impact this trade would have on the teams more closely.
Miami Changes Directions
Buckley’s trade package sees the departure of several key players from Miami’s rotation. While the team has been attempting to offload Terry Rozier, parting with Herro and Jaime Jaquez Jr. would be a significant loss.
With a star-caliber talent like Herro leaving the team, the Heat would effectively be committing to retooling. In this regard, the incoming pieces certainly present some promise.
Jerami Grant is an extremely versatile forward. While being a capable defensive presence on the wings, the forward boasts an impressive offensive skill set that allows him to create scoring chances in various settings.
Last season, he averaged 14.4 points, 3.5 rebounds, 0.9 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game on 37.3% shooting from the field and 36.5% from three. While his shooting efficiency could be considered poor, this aspect of his game could be attributed to his recurring injuries and their impact on his offensive rhythm.
Concerns regarding Grant’s injury history are echoed with the acquisition of Robert Williams III. The Blazers’ big man garnered some interest in the trade market this offseason, primarily owing to his reputation as a lob threat and his rim-protection ability.
Heading into the 2025-26 season, Miami’s big man rotation is thin. Although they made some key signings to address these shortcomings, the lack of size could be a concern. In this regard, the arrival of Williams could be considered favorable.
For the 2024-25 season, the center averaged 5.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game on 64.1% shooting from the field. While these are solid figures, keeping him healthy for the season will become a challenge for the Heat.
When considering the assets mentioned in the package, only the 2029 first-round pick and Shaedon Sharpe seem to have immediate upside.
Sharpe is a gifted young guard with tremendous athleticism and “raw” offensive potential, according to Buckley. His performance from last season supports this claim, as he averaged 18.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, shooting 45.2% from the field and 31.1% from three.
Sharpe’s ability to attack the rim by making use of his impressive jumping ability is worth noting. When considering his latent potential, the Heat could see merit in developing him into an elite scoring threat, effectively setting him up to be Herro’s replacement on offense.
As mentioned earlier, this trade effectively sets Miami up for a retool rather than a rebuild. By adding depth to the big man rotation, fortifying the wings, and adding a young player with offensive upside, the Heat could be positioned for a playoff push in the future.
The Blazers Acquire Another Star
This trade has some interesting connotations for Portland, too. For the most part, however, this trade largely favors them.
Given how challenging it has been for Portland to offload Grant’s contract, this trade allows them to do so. Although it requires them to take on Rozier’s $26.6 million contract, given his status as an expiring contract, they may view this acquisition as a positive.
Along with Rozier’s arrival, the Blazers will also be acquiring a solid rotation piece in Jaime Jaquez Jr., which could be far more significant in comparison.
Jaquez Jr. has shown a lot of potential to develop into a reliable three-level scorer. The 24-year-old had an inconsistent sophomore season, marked by reduced playing time. However, looking to bounce back next season, the forward could look to improve upon his averages of 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds on 46.1% shooting from the field.
While Jaquez Jr. could be a valuable asset for the future, the Blazers will look forward to the arrival of Tyler Herro in this deal. Regarded as one of the most talented young guards in the league, Herro’s addition would effectively transform Portland’s roster.
Last season could be viewed as a breakout year for the 25-year-old. Herro saw a significant increase in production, earning him his first All-Star selection. With an average of 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game on 47.2% shooting from the field and 37.5% from three, Herro showcased his ability to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, effectively orchestrating the team’s offense.
On the Trail Blazers, Herro would effectively have the same role as Sharpe, stepping in as an offensive firestarter. Although Portland has two guards already, with Holiday and Scoot Henderson in the rotation, Herro could slot in comfortably due to his versatility with and without the ball.
Acquiring Herro sets Portland up for the future. By pairing him with Lillard and moving Holiday to the bench, the Blazers could present one of the most formidable backcourt rotations in the league.
Additionally, the 25-year-old is also eligible for a contract extension, something that has stirred some trade rumors this offseason. Depending on his performance, the Blazers could consider offering him a multi-year deal, cementing his status as the franchise cornerstone.
Miami May Not Do This Deal
Buckley’s trade proposal paints an interesting future for both teams involved in this deal. However, it is also quite evident that it benefits the Blazers more than the Heat.
The Heat may not seem like a title contender this season, but considering their roster makeup, they can be viewed as a dark horse in the East. With this in mind, it is quite unlikely for the franchise to pivot at this juncture and trade one of its best players.
Meanwhile, this deal may also be viewed unfavorably by Portland due to Herro’s recent injury. Following his ankle surgery, which could see him sidelined for up to eight weeks, the Blazers may be hesitant to acquire him by giving up key rotation pieces.
Herro’s injury could have a more significant impact on his future dealings with Miami this season. Whether this could stir further trade rumors, however, is yet to be seen.
