Trade Proposal Sends Tyler Herro To Wizards, Kyle Kuzma To Heat

One NBA analyst proposed that the Miami Heat trade Tyler Herro to the Washington Wizards for Kyle Kuzma. 

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report proposed the mock trade. 

“This would be a fascinating challenge trade from both sides, but it might be one Miami attempts to try capitalizing on whatever remains of Jimmy Butler‘s prime,” Buckley wrote in his NBA trade article. “The Heat are having trouble relying on Herro, who couldn’t top 66 games in any of his first five NBA seasons. They might also have serious questions regarding the defensive viability of a Herro-Terry Rozier backcourt.

“Swapping out Herro for Kuzma could ease some of the defensive concerns in the backcourt (depending on who filled Herro’s starting spot, obviously) while giving Miami a 20-point scorer who previously filled a support role on a championship team (the 2019-20 Lakers, who coincidentally downed the Heat in the bubble). The Heat have struggled to get enough two-way players on the floor, and Kuzma is better balanced in that regard.”

Kuzma averaged 22.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.7 blocks for the Wizards in 2023-24 while shooting 46.3% from the field, 33.6% from beyond the arc and 77.5% from the free-throw line. He’ll make $23.5 million next season.  

Meanwhile, Herro averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.1 blocks for the Heat while shooting 44.1% overall, 39.6% from 3 and 85.6% from the foul line. He’ll make $29 million next season. 

The Wizards missed the playoffs in 2024, while the Heat lost to the Boston Celtics in the first round in five games. 

Kuzma has career averages of 17.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.6 blocks with the Los Angeles Lakers and Kings. He won the 2020 championship with the Lakers over the Heat in six games at the Walt Disney World bubble. 

Herro has career averages of 18.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.2 blocks. He won the 2021-22 Sixth Man of the Year Award.