As the Trail Blazers remain patient while negotiating Damian Lillard trades, the point guard has maintained his preference to play for the Heat above all else. In a potential trade with the Heat, the main piece of return would likely be guard Tyler Herro, but while some fans believe that’s not enough, others think it’s the best Portland can do.
On Monday, Dan Le Batard went on a rant accusing ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski of giving preferential treatment to the Blazers, and in that rant he explained why the Heat are standing firm with their offer.
“The offer is Herro, and Herro is the best one you’re gonna get from anybody,” Le Batard said. “He’s better than [Tyrese] Maxey, he’s the best you’re gonna get, you’re boxed in, Lillard wants to be with us.”
Maxey is a talented, young guard for the 76ers who Philadelphia reportedly believes is a “twenty-five-year-old LeBron James.” However, Le Batard maintains that Herro is the better player, which means a Miami package for Lillard is better than a Philadelphia package.
“Herro is better than Maxey, he’s just whiter than Maxey,” Le Batard continued. “He gets disregarded as a prospect as if he hasn’t been a young dude in his early 20s who’s a 20 point-a-game scorer.”
Dan Le Batard believes Tyler Herro is the best player Portland would get in a trade for Damian Lillard
— NBACentral (@TheNBACentral) July 17, 2023
“Herro is better than Maxey, he’s just whiter than Maxey.”
(Via @LeBatardShow )
pic.twitter.com/rjXBvTrjHM
Herro has played in the NBA for four seasons and is coming off back-to-back years averaging 20 points per game. Last year in 67 games, Herro averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists while leading the league in free throw percentage.
Maxey, meanwhile, just finished a third season where he broke out with averages of 20.3 points, 3.5 assists and 2.9 rebounds per game. Additionally, Maxey’s 43.4 three-point percentage bested Herro’s 37.8%, but Herro shot and made more threes overall per game.
While Herro has already signed a four-year, $130 million extension, Maxey is due for a new deal before he hits restricted free agency next year.
