Tyler Herro makes sense for the Utah Jazz but not for this trade package

The Utah Jazz are in another trade suggestion, this time landing Tyler Herro but giving up Lauri Markkanen.

The Utah Jazz are a team that could go either way this season. To the top of the draft or to the playoffs, either is possible but we’re not quite sure which way they’re going to go. This means talking about ways to generate one of the two scenarios, and that means trades. Usually, we cover trades that would make the Jazz better but this time we’re looking at one that would help them usher in a full rebuild, focused on rebuilding.

In the trade suggestion from NBA Analysis’ Ashish Mathur, we see the Miami Heat sending over Tyler Herro and two first-round picks in 2027 and 2029 to the Utah Jazz for Lauri Markkanen and Simone Fontecchio. And on paper, this is a solid trade.

"Heat: Lauri Markkanen, Simone FontecchioJazz : Tyler Herro, 2 First-Round Picks (’27/’29 from Miami)"

The Jazz get more picks and Herro, while the Heat get an All-Star forward who can take pressure off of Jimmy Butler. But the problem is that the trade doesn’t make sense. Sure, it’s good on paper, but the only reason the Jazz should try and land Tyler Herro is if they’re competing.

Herro is only 23 years old, right in line with the rest of the team’s core, but he’ll be making nearly $30 million per year. Considering this is a full-tear down and rebuild, why keep someone on the roster who eats up so much cap space?

The reason you get Herro is to pair him with Markkanen. Losing Markkanen for Herro feels like a Rugrats episode, entitled “The Santa Experience“. Basically, the plot revolves around the idea of giving up something you like, so that someone else can get what they want. The only problem is, that the thing they gave up would end up going hand-in-hand with the gift they’d get from the other person. So each person gave their friend a gift that would complement the item they had to give up.

It was truly a sick action from a toddler, but that’s the scenario we’re dealing with here. Herro only makes sense if you’re keeping Markkanen and making a playoff run. If you have to give up Markkanen to get Herro, it no longer makes sense. You don’t want to have to take back Herro or anyone else who’s early into a massive contract.

So either keep Markkanen and get Herro or trade Markkanen for some expiring contracts and picks. Don’t go halfway.