While the Brooklyn Nets were initially tied to the Portland Trail Blazers because of their own pursuit of Damian Lillard, the ambitious Eastern Conference franchise could pivot to a trade for Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, helping facilitate a trade that lands the seven-time All-NBA selection with his preferred trade destination.

Though the parameters of what such a trade would look like are still a bit hazy, while Herro lands in Brooklyn and Lillard lands in Miami, the Blazers would get several first-round picks and at least one promising young player. Here's an example:

Nets receive: Tyler Herro, Anfernee Simons

Heat receive: Damian Lillard, Spencer Dinwiddie, Royce O'Neale

Blazers receive: Kyle Lowry, Duncan Robinson, Dorian Finney-Smith, Noah Clowney, Nikola Jovic, Cam Thomas, 2027 first-round pick (via MIA), 2027 first-round pick (via BRK), 2027 first-round pick (via BRK), 2030 first-round pick (via MIA)

Of course, deals are easier made in theory than in practice, as teams prefer trying to hit the home run in a deal rather than settling for a single or double. Nonetheless, the fact remains that if the Nets are able to make this type of trade, they stand a much better chance of excelling in the 2023-24 season than they do now.

Tyler Herro to the rescue

The best skill that Tyler Herro has at this point of his career is his perimeter shooting, as the former lottery pick has made 38.3 percent of his 3-point attempts over the last four seasons, with 44.1 percent of his shots coming from deep. Largely a catch-and-shoot artist when he gets his opportunities from 3-point range, with 72.5 percent of his 3-point attempts being assisted, Herro is proficient from everywhere around the arc.

For the Brooklyn Nets, who shot just 35.0 percent from 3-point range after the All-Star Break largely due to the trades of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, the addition of Herro allows them to reclaim their prior 3-point proficiency. Of course, Herro won't be able to do it all alone, as both Durant and Irving shot above 37 percent from 3 last season. However, he can compensate — for the most part — at least one of their absences when it comes to outside shooting.

While Herro is indeed a 3-point specialist, he's still a volume scorer; a fluid athlete and ball-handler capable of consistently creating shots for himself off-the-dribble. Consequently, Herro has averaged 20.4 points per game over the past two seasons while shooting 44.3 percent from the field, 38.7 percent from 3, and 89.8 percent from the free-throw line for good measure.

Breakout star Mikal Bridges averaged 26.1 points per game for the Nets last season but, to be frank, there's no guarantee that the former Villanova standout keeps that up. After all, Bridges was averaging a career-high 17.2 points per game prior to the trade after averaging 13.8 points per game the prior two seasons. At Nova, Bridges had a career-high of 17.7 points per game. With him drawing even more defensive attention on the scouting report as the first option, it might be wise to temper expectations just a bit as he heads into his sixth season.

With that said, even if Bridges were to replicate his production from last season, he was the only Nets player to average at least 17 points per game after the trade deadline. A fact which only enhances the need for Brooklyn to complete a trade for him.

If the Nets are serious in their belief about Ben Simmons being an integral part of their team and his returning to star form, logic dictates their need to have as many upper echelon shooters beside him as possible. There is a question as to what position the Nets will play Simmons at after using him in various roles last season but given the fact that his passing prowess remains his best offensive ability, his returning to point guard shouldn't be ruled out.

If that should happen, combo guard Anfernee Simons could still play alongside him in the backcourt.

6MOY Anfernee Simons?

While Anfernee Simons could start, his running the second unit while playing long stretches with the starters will put him in a familiar super-sub role that allows him to come in for Simmons or even Nic Claxton, should Brooklyn choose to play small.

Averaging 21.1 points per game last season, the skilled shot-creator and playmaker is only held back by his porous defense, a weakness that could prevent him from playing beside Tyler Herro for significant stretches. Nonetheless, expect Simons to make a substantial impact to a Nets offense that ranked 20th in the league last season with 113.4 points per game, and could need his aggressive scoring mindset to complement the true point guard mentality that Ben Simmons possesses.

Frankly, Simons has all the talent needed to be a Sixth Man of the Year candidate, if not finalist next season. Especially if Simmons struggles.