[Saba Sports News] Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro spent the entire offseason amidst swirling trade rumors, and it was not until an unexpected moment that he received positive news about his future. A feature by The Ringer recounts the peculiar circumstances when Herro found out about his situation.
On September 27, while enjoying a meal with his head coach, Erik Spoelstra, at a Coconut Grove restaurant in Miami, Herro’s phone began incessantly buzzing, causing both of them to wonder about the reason behind the commotion.
As they engaged in casual conversation, the persistent buzzing of Herro’s phone raised suspicions. Given his prolonged involvement in trade talks, it was evident that something significant was afoot. Spoelstra described their initial exchange as casual banter, with the two simply “shootin’ the s–t.”
However, Herro’s phone continued to ring insistently, prompting him to eventually pick it up. Although there was a fleeting concern that it could be related to a family matter, both of them knew it was more likely related to a potential trade.
Herro addressed Spoelstra, expressing his reluctance to answer but indicating the need to ensure everything was fine back home. At that very moment, Herro discovered his fate: he was either destined for a trade to the Portland Trailblazers as part of a package deal for Damian Lillard or would be able to finish his lunch in the company of Spoelstra, his head coach.
Fortunately for Herro, they were able to conclude their meal without any disruptions. The news he received was that he had not been traded; instead, Lillard had been traded, though not to Miami. The Portland Trailblazers had, in fact, sent their star guard to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a high-profile three-team trade.
Reflecting on the situation, Herro humorously stated, “I thought I was out of here. I damn near had my s–t packed up.” Less than 24 hours following this rollercoaster of events, a relieved Herro expressed his relief through a series of tweets that quickly went viral, signaling the end of a particularly stressful period in his career.