When the most valuable player you have in a potential trade to bring a superstar like Damian Lillard to town isn’t piquing the other team’s interest, it’s not exactly a great starting point in negotiations. This appears to be somewhere in line with how the Trail Blazers view Tyler Herro, the player initially floated as a part of the Heat pursuing a trade for Lillard.
Fortunately for Miami, there is some positive news coming down the rumor pipeline on Herro and his potential impact in a trade. As ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported, Portland may not want Herro, but there are teams willing to give up a "good first-round pick" and "maybe something more" in exchange for adding Herro as a third team in the deal.
Per ESPN:
Portland doesn't want guard Tyler Herro and the four years and $120 million owed on his extension, but there are teams that have told ESPN they would surrender a good first-round pick to the Blazers -- maybe something more -- to become a facilitator by taking on Herro in a three-way deal.
Somewhere Pat Riley is seeing the metaphorical floodgates open in his pursuit of Lillard. The first piece of a potential three-team deal to bring Lillard to South Beach could come together quickly here, and if so, Riley and the Heat will have their foot slammed on the gas. The Heat's pursuit of Lillard should be worth monitoring in the coming days/weeks here, especially if they do find the perfect third team to jump into the trade talks.