The Toronto Raptors can also be added to the list of teams that have expressed exploratory interest in acquiring Herro as part of multi-team trade talks between the Blazers and Heat involving Lillard, league sources told HoopsHype. -via HoopsHype / July 15, 2023

Scoot Henderson: Either way, I’m going to continue to go on my path. It’s definitely something out of my control. Professional sports is a business at the end of the day. I’m just going about it day by day, and just like y’all are hearing it from ear to ear, post to post. I haven’t really been on social media to really see what’s going on, but I’m here with the team at summer league, and my main focus is, especially when I’m out, to cheer my team. O’Connor: Ultimately it’s making the best of the situation. If he happens to come back, it’s opportunities for you to grow off-ball. Scoot: Exactly. O’Connor: If he’s not back, you’re thrown right in the driver’s seat. Scoot: Exactly. And I’m with that. If he leaves, I’m going to just embrace that. I’m going to embrace being the point guard for the team. And that comes with practice. I don’t have my spot guaranteed; I know that. My goal is to get better every day at practice and get better game by game. -via The Ringer / July 15, 2023

Damian Lillard trade update via @wojespn : – Timeline for potential deal still likely to be weeks or months from now. – Trail Blazers will not rush into what they consider a “bad deal” from the Heat. – Miami doesn’t want to bid against themselves for Lillard: “They know that the market does not love the idea of paying Damian Lillard a $60 million average at 35 and 36 years old.” – Portland is motivated to wait this out, unless Miami offered all of their potential assets right now. -via Twitter @esidery / July 15, 2023

Late Thursday night, Durant joined Booker on Instagram Live, in which they shared a wholesome moment. Booker asked where Durant was, and he told the 26-year-old he could check his location. Booker then asked Durant if they could go to Europe later this month. “We got to coordinate that, brother,” Durant said. “We have to coordinate that, brother. We have to.” Booker asked Durant if he was “straight” (doing well) and Durant responded that he loved Booker. “I appreciate that, slim (perhaps in reference to Durant’s nickname, “The Slim Reaper),” Booker said. “I’m going to hit you offline, but we still online.” Durant, smiling, responded: “Yes, sir. I love you boy.” -via Clutch Points / July 14, 2023

LEEZUS: Book and KD on live is literally the most wholesome thing you’ll see all week. -via Twitter / July 14, 2023

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant is very active on Twitter. He disputes claims made by NBA fans who often look to attack him for moments they view as weak from his career. Thursday, Durant pointed out just how bad Twitter had gotten out of hand. A fake page called NBA Cental attributed Durant in a quote that said “my only weakness is injuries.” The post had over five million impressions as of Friday morning. Here is how Durant responded, via his Twitter post: “We’re reaching dangerous territory,” he said. -via Clutch Points / July 14, 2023

Aaron J. Fentress on Damian Lillard trade: If the Blazers can come out of this with four first-round picks, at least one or two young talents, and then salary-filler, that should get it done. I’m told that right now, Miami has three firsts, Tyler Herro, filler and maybe a young player already [as their offer], like willing to go with that. The question is finding that fourth first-round pick. And if you don’t want Herro, you just have to find someone to take Herro and give you another first-round pick. Then you’re at four firsts and at least one young player and salary filler, maybe even two young players. I’m told it’s pretty close, they just have to figure out. They hadn’t really spent much time working it out over the last couple of days. -via Apple Podcasts / July 13, 2023

“When they were doing that stuff, Miami Heat tried to send Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson for a Top 75 player . . . hell no,” Turner said on the “No Chill w Gilbert Arenas” podcast on Fubo Sports. “I don’t give a damn if the points match up or the money. I need me a superstar. So I think Portland has to do what makes sense for them.” -via South Florida Sun-Sentinel / July 13, 2023