NBA rumors: Tyler Herro's cryptic post on IG
In light of recent reports that Damian Lillard will be traded 'very soon.' Tyler Herro added even more fuel to the NBA rumor fire. The Miami Heat guard posted an IG story with an incredibly suspicious caption that reads, "Aint no friends in this business."
Herro's name has been mentioned many times in trade talks between Portland and Miami this offseason. After conversations between the two teams stalled out, the thought of Herro being traded evaporated from most NBA fans' minds. However, given the latest developments, one of two things, or perhaps both, could be true. That is, 1. Tyler Herro likes Rod Wave. or 2. Tyler Herro is about to be traded.
A Woj report back in July told us that the Portland Trail Blazers already have young guards and want nothing to do with the former Sixth Man of the Year. So, is there a third team in the mix? Or has Portland come around?
ESPN Insider Marc Spears defended Herro on The Oregonian's Sports by Northwest podcast. Spears said, "When he's on the floor—There's some shooters that are on the floor that put fear in your heart, and he's one of them, and those are hard players to find,"
After breaking his hand in the first game of the postseason, Herro was forced to bench-mob it all the way through to the NBA Finals. Still, Herro averaged 20.1 points last season, his second straight 20-point season. He won the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award in 2022. Last season, he led the league in free throw percentage. Best of all, he's only 23 years old with valuable postseason experience.
Overall, not a bad resume. Maybe he's just into Rod Wave. Hopefully, it won't be long before we find out if this post has any deeper meaning, or if it's just a coincidence. Either way, Hero is sure to shine in the NBA wherever he ends up.
NBA rumors: Giannis Antetokounmpo 50/50 to stay with Bucks
The likelihood Giannis Antetokounmpo stays with the Milwaukee Bucks after his contract ends in a couple of years is 50/50, that is, according to ESPN's Brian Windhorst.
Per Windhorst:
"If you look at the Bucks roster, which is primarily in it's 30s, you look at the Bucks asset base, and it's depleted. And you look at Giannis, who's 28-years-old. These are on different tracks. It's not impossible they could pull some sort of manuever. It's not impossible they could pull some sort of maneuver – and I don't think any of this comes as a surprise to the Bucks. I think it's uncomfortable that he's being so public about it, I think this is the way it is."
Giannis Antetokounmpo is under contract for at least two more seasons but can sign a contract extension beginning Friday. Antetokounmpo could sign a three-year extension worth $169 million. This is his first chance to recommit to the franchise since he signed a supermax extension before the 2020-21 season. Since there are two years left on Antetokounmpo's contract (player option doesn't count), he has until Oct. 23 to sign.
It will eventually be up to Antetokounmpo to decide whether he wants to stay in Milwaukee or pursue other options in free agency. This offseason, in an interview withThe New York Times, Giannis revealed his desire to win another championship, whether it's in Milwaukee or elsewhere. Giannis said, "Winning a championship comes first. I don't want to be 20 years on the same team and don't win another championship."
The Bucks had a disappointing end to last season as they lost in five games to the 8th-seeded Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs. According to ESPN's NBA Insiders, Giannis is better off waiting to sign until next summer, as it'll guarantee him a much bigger payday. Clearly, how the Bucks perform in the upcoming 2023-24 will be very critical to Giannis' decision.
NBA rumors: Andre Igudoala doesn't think he should be in HOF
On Thursday, Andre Iguodala told JJ Redick that he doesn't believe he deserves to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Not only that, but Iguodala suggested the Hall of Fame should be broken up into multiple tiers to put into perspective how talented the sport's elite players really are.
Per Iguodala:
"I know I have a lot of flaws. And I think there should be tiers of the Hall of Fame. ... I'm not a Hall of Famer, if you ask me. No, no, no. Those guys [Hall of Famers] had no flaws. And I think I was good, but like Kobe [Bryant]... LeBron [James]... C'mon man, I can't do that. And a lot of us can't do that. They have to be in their own, like, different world. And then [Michael Jordan] should be in his different world, that's how good he was."
Andre Iguodala has played 19 seasons for four teams. In his prime, Iggy was the embodiment of a stat-sheet stuffer. To jog Iguodala's memory, here's a glance at his resume. He's a four-time champion. In 2015, he was named Finals MVP and is the only Finals MVP to not start every game in the Finals. Iguodala was runner-up for the Sixth Man of the Year award in the 2015-16 season, in addition to being a member of the Golden State Warriors' legendary 73-9 team. To Iguodala's point, he's only been selected as an All-Star once, and even then, his scoring averages were the lowest among all the players selected.
Even if Iguodala isn't an elite player by his own definition, his resume proves he was an extremely talented basketball player. After all, everyone in the league can't make the NBA Finals, let alone be named MVP afterward. When it's all said and done, Iguodala's contributions to the Warriors were immense and worthy of recognition. Without him, the Warriors might not have won the 2015 NBA Finals. Shouldn't that put him in the HOF?