For years, Milwaukee Bucks guard Tyler Herro saw his name in trade rumors as a member of the Miami Heat.It was an uncomfortable reality of his situation, and he grew accustomed to it. Still, he entered this offseason believing the rumors would finally turn into an actual trade and a brand-new home.“I kind of was anticipating it,” Herro told The Athletic in an interview in Las Vegas before the news of his physical altercation with Bam Adebayo became public. “This summer felt like the summer that it could probably happen.“The rumors are part of the business of the game, and to be in the trade rumors, it’s a gift and a curse. The curse because that means people want you, but at the same time, the team is trying to trade you.”He didn’t know he would be going back to his hometown team.“I’m happy where I’m at now,” Herro said. “If I literally had to pick another team in the league to play for, it would be Milwaukee. I’m super excited to be in Milwaukee. Fresh start for everyone — the organization, myself — and we’re really gonna hit it home.”Herro was born in Milwaukee and played at Whitnall High in nearby Greenfield, Wis., where he scored more than 2,000 points and averaged 32.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.6 assists as a first-team All-State selection in his senior year. He originally committed to play at Wisconsin before decommitting and choosing Kentucky and John Calipari. He was a one-and-done player and selected 13th in the 2019 NBA Draft.Though Herro is getting the chance to return home, it comes in the wake of the Bucks trading Giannis Antetokounmpo, the franchise’s all-time leading scorer. It’s easy for many NBA players to recognize how much Antetokounmpo meant to Milwaukee, but few could understand the spot Herro is stepping into better than Herro himself.“I was 13 years old when Giannis was drafted and lived 10 minutes from the arena,” Herro said. “I know what it’s like. I’ve been through it all. I remember the Michael Redd days, Brandon Jennings days. Andrew Bogut, Monta Ellis … all those days.“I remember those days and what Giannis did when he got there to take the city. Not only the team, but the city has grown because of him. And he got the Deer District now … like, a bunch of different things in Milwaukee that just weren’t there when he got there. Not only did he bring a championship, but he changed the city as a whole.”No one is expecting Herro to produce at the same level as Antetokounmpo or even fill that same role, but growing up in the Milwaukee area means the 26-year-old shooting guard knows how pivotal he can be for the organization’s new era.For Herro, it will be a new chapter, as well. Miami is the only franchise Herro has known, playing his first seven seasons with the Heat.Though Herro played 33 games last season due to toe and rib injuries, he still averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists. Per Basketball-Reference, he is one of 19 players to average at least 20 points in each of the last five seasons, and his scoring will be needed next season as the Bucks look to replace Antetokounmpo’s offensive punch.It remains to be seen whether new head coach Taylor Jenkins will build the game plan around a defined No. 1 offensive option next season, but Herro believes he’s ready for more responsibility.“I think my time in Miami has prepared me for this,” Herro said. “Playing with great players — Jimmy (Butler), veteran guys, Andre Iguodala, Jae Crowder, Goran Dragić, a bunch of different guys who I’ve learned from throughout my career — and to kind of be in that lead role now, it’s a responsibility that I think I’m ready for.”Though Herro is excited about the opportunity, he’s heard chatter around the league about a third team potentially getting involved in the trade. While Herro is in Milwaukee now, that could change in the next year as the Bucks assess how to move forward.“I think now that things are kind of settling down, I’m hoping I’m staying here,” Herro said. “That’s kind of the consensus I’m getting right now, but I’m excited to just be here. If it’s for two months, two years, whatever it is, I’m just excited to be here.“I see the potential. I see the promise that we have as a group. As an organization, with the young guys with a fresh start, I think we’re going to be better than people anticipate. We got a great mix of vets and guys that have been proven in this league, and then we got guys who are hungry, motivated with a chip on their shoulder, that want to compete and prove something. So, we’re gonna be good.”Among the players on Milwaukee’s roster heading into the 2026-27 season, Herro arguably has the most interesting role. He is the only roster player with an All-Star Game appearance and is extension-eligible, but that would require the Bucks to commit to him long-term rather than move him again for more assets.Herro knows the three other players who were moved from Miami to Milwaukee well, but he also needs to learn how to fit in with the players who were already in Milwaukee. Herro is a scorer, but the Bucks have two score-first point guards (Ryan Rollins and Kevin Porter Jr.), and they drafted another guard, Brayden Burries, who will need on-ball opportunities to develop.All of these things will have to be managed first by the front office and coaching staff, but Herro will need to be a leader and help the team navigate these issues.From Herro’s perspective, that all started in Las Vegas by getting in work with his young veteran teammates — Ousmane Dieng, Jaime Jaquez Jr., Kel’el Ware, Porter and Rollins — and hanging around the players on the regular roster who were participating in summer league, as well.“I think this is just the start of it,” Herro said. “This is my first time coming to Vegas in, like, four or five years.“And Ryan Rollins — super excited to play with him. Myles Turner, guys who’ve been proven a little bit. But I’m also excited to see Brayden Burries, Nate Ament, guys like that who are going to just continue to get better. Kaspar, Kel’el, like, these guys are just scratching the surface. I’m just excited to help them continue to grow and kind of be that voice for them.”There will be lots of opportunities in Milwaukee this season to put up significant numbers, and Herro will be able to take full advantage of it. However, showing he can lead a team would also prove something to the Bucks and the rest of the league.Overall, Herro is happy that this new adventure is happening in familiar surroundings, giving him a chance to be mentioned alongside the guys he grew up watching at the Bradley Center.“I’m excited that this opportunity is back home,” Herro said. “It’s perfectly set up with young guys and guys who are hungry.”