Heat reportedly unwilling to trade Tyler Herro for James Harden

(Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images)

Want to know how high the Miami Heat are on Tyler Herro? They’re reluctant to give up the former Kentucky guard in a trade for former MVP, three-time scoring champion, and eight-time NBA All-Star James Harden.

According to Greg Sylvander of Five on the Floor, the Heat have had trade discussions regarding the NBA superstar, but have been “unwilling” to part with Herro in any package.

For now, at least.

“I can report that Miami and Houston have had trade conversations surrounding James Harden,” Sylvander said. “However, up to this point the Heat have been unwilling to include Tyler Herro in any package. For now.”

This news comes after Shams Charania of The Athletic reported this morning that Harden is now open to trades to the Miami Heat and Milwaukee Bucks, joining the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets as preferred trade destinations.

“Along with the Philadelphia 76ers and Brooklyn Nets, Houston Rockets star James Harden now also has the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat among his preferred trade destinations,” Charania reported. “Harden is in Houston complying with the NBA’s coronavirus testing protocol, and sources close to the team and Harden expect the former league MVP to remain professional while also keeping some pressure on the Rockets to address his trade demands.”

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After a successful start to the regular season, the standout rookie became a household name during postseason play, averaging 16 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists on a shooting split of 43.3/37.5/87.0 in 21 total appearances. His biggest moment came in a career-high 37-point performance in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Boston Celtics, followed by five starts in the NBA Finals.

As for Harden, who averaged 34.3 points, 7.5 assists and 6.6 rebounds per game during the 2019-20 season, the 31-year-old veteran guard is considered one of the greatest pure scorers in NBA history and a future Hall of Famer when his career comes to a close.

Would the Heat actually pass up on that opportunity, one that would create a three-headed monster of Harden, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo for years to come?

It appears they’re leaning that way, at least for now, anyway.

Purchase stock in any and all Buckets. The Heat have.