Herro: 'I damn near had my shit packed up' while awaiting Lillard trade

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro thought there was a good chance he'd be bidding farewell to South Beach this offseason in the wake of Damian Lillard's trade request.

In an interview with The Ringer's Wes Goldberg, Herro explained how he was preparing to be shipped away by the Heat after Lillard requested to be traded from the Portland Trail Blazers in July.

"I thought I was out of here," Herro said. "I damn near had my shit packed up."

Herro's name was frequently mentioned in trade rumors involving Lillard, who made it known that Miami was his preferred destination. Lillard was instead traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in September as part of a three-team deal that also included the Phoenix Suns.

Herro told Goldberg he was out enjoying lunch with Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra when he learned about the trade.

"Look, Coach," Herro recalled telling Spoelstra as his phone buzzed. "I don't want to get this, but I just got to make sure everything's good at home."

Herro, the 13th overall pick of the 2019 NBA Draft, is entering his fifth season with the Heat. He's under contract with the team through 2026-27.