Lowe: Inside Miami’s incredible turnaround, from the lottery to the East finals

The Portland Trail Blazers were not interested in a trade for Damian Lillard built around Tyler Herro, so he is remaining with the Miami Heat in Year 1 of a four-year, $120 million contract extension.

“I didn’t want to go to Portland, so I’m glad Portland didn’t want me,” Herro said in a tone more of resignation to an offseason of doubt. “I just don’t want to be in Portland. So it’s not personal with Portland, at all.

“I’m just happy to be on the court. I haven’t played since April. I broke my hand and I haven’t played since then, so I’m ready to play.”

The value of Herro to the Heat came into question as they went on a run to the Finals without him in the lineup.

“My value maybe has decreased in people’s eyes,” he said, “but I’m a better player than I was last year, so there’s no way my value has decreased.”

The Toronto Raptors have looked into the possibility of JJ Redick for their head coaching vacancy, a source has told Michael Grange of Sportsnet.ca.

Redick has a fledging career in broadcasting after his retirement in 2021.

Redick has spoken openly about possibly coaching in the future.

Steve Nash, Derek Fisher, Jason Kidd, Mark Jackson, Isiah Thomas and Steve Kerr are among some of the former players who became head coach in the NBA without any prior experience as an assistant coach or as a college head coach.

The Raptors have been linked with a number of current assistant such as Charles Lee, Sam Cassell, Kenny Atkinson, Jordi Fernandez, Adrian Griffin and David Adelman. Other candidates include Becky Hammon, Jerry Stackhouse and Patrick Mutombo.