Yahoo Sports NBA senior reporter Jake Fischer updated the basketball world an hour ago amidst the newly rekindled Damian Lillard trade rumors. Given the report from PHLY just yesterday combined with today’s nugget, Lillard and Chicago may be a more real possibility than many believe. In both news drops, the Bulls would theoretically be executing a three or more team trade to acquire the Blazers’ superstar, but this is music to Bulls fans’ ears regardless. Stuck behind Zach LaVine’s lucrative deal and injury-prone history, the franchise hasn’t seen a playoff series victory since his arrival via the Jimmy Butler trade five seasons ago. How legitimate are these rumors, and what other teams could be involved in this blockbuster deal?
Tyler Herro To The Windy City
Miami’s greatest trade asset outside of their two superstars Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo would be 23-year-old guard Tyler Herrro from Kentucky. It’s been made clear that he would be the main piece in any deal involving Lillard and the Heat since they’re unwilling to part ways with their dynamic duo mentioned above. Amid the last few days of murmurs circling the Lillard sweepstakes, it sounds like Herro is the next hottest name on the market. The Utah Jazz, Charlotte Hornets, and Brooklyn Nets were also confirmed to have interest in the 2022 Sixth Man of the Year award winner.
Being a career 38.3% three-point shooter with 6.5 attempts per contest, Herro would rank in the top two on the Bulls in both categories. As a team last in the NBA during the 2022-23 campaign in three-point attempts, his skillset would certainly be welcomed with open arms in Chicago alongside DeMar DeRozan and Nikola Vucevic.
“Toronto And Chicago Discussed Most By League Figures”
Fischer wrote that two Eastern Conference teams have emerged as the possible mystery team alluded to several days ago by Marc J Spears of ESPN within NBA circles, the Bulls and Raptors. In his article, he outlines that the Bulls don’t have nearly the young talent or capital that Toronto offers. Hence, Chicago would need several other trade partners to jump in on a deal for Lillard’s services. LaVine’s name has been among the most floated of the NBA stars this summer. Still, he’s not a hot commodity with his lack of versatility, injury history, and insufficient playoff success, as seen by the lack of traction for any deals getting done for him. Specifically in Portland’s case, he’s virtually an older, higher-paid, and less efficient version of their 24-year-old guard, Anfernee Simons.
In any case, acquiring Lillard or Herro would be astronomical for the Chicago Bulls. Pawning off LaVine’s regrettable contract for either a top-ten player in today’s game or a 23-year-old version with more playoff success and experience would each be a successful deal for the future of Chicago. In what could turn into the biggest blockbuster of the 2023 NBA summer, would you rather have Herro or Lillard? What lengths should the Bulls be willing to go to to obtain either of these deep-range offensive threats?
