Is Tyler Herro Still a Cornerstone for the Heat - or Just a Trade Chip?
The Miami Heat are holding their own this season, despite missing a key piece in Tyler Herro for much of the year. The 26-year-old guard, who led the team in scoring last season, has been sidelined twice - first with an ankle injury, then with a rib issue that’s kept him out for the past month. But here’s the question that’s starting to gain traction around the league: Are the Heat actually better without him?
That’s not just idle barbershop talk. Herro recently landed at No. 7 on a list of the NBA’s most overrated players. And while that might sound harsh for a guy who’s averaged over 20 points per game for five straight seasons, the case against Herro isn’t about his scoring - it’s about everything else.
Let’s start with the facts. Herro has undeniable offensive talent.
He can get buckets as a starter or off the bench, and he’s proven that time and again. But Miami’s actions over the past few seasons speak volumes.
The Heat have consistently dangled Herro in trade talks - first in their pursuit of Damian Lillard in 2023, and more recently in a reported package aimed at landing Giannis Antetokounmpo. That’s not exactly how you treat a franchise cornerstone.
Then there’s the contract situation. Herro was eligible for a three-year extension worth up to $149.7 million this past offseason.
Miami passed. Instead, they gave money to Nikola Jovic at the extension deadline in October.
That decision alone says a lot about how the front office views Herro’s long-term role.
Durability has also been a concern. In his seven seasons, Herro has played 70 or more games just once.
This year, he's only suited up for 11 so far. And when he has been available in the postseason, the results haven’t always been pretty.
In 2023, the Heat made their run to the NBA Finals after Herro broke his hand in Game 1 of the playoffs. That team leaned on defense, toughness, and timely shot-making - and some around the league noticed they looked more cohesive without Herro in the lineup.
Last postseason didn’t help his case either. In a sweep at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Herro was a defensive target and struggled mightily in the deciding Game 4, going 1-of-10 from the field and finishing with a minus-44 game score. That’s a tough pill to swallow for a player expected to be a top offensive option.
Now, with Herro nearing a return, the Heat face an interesting dilemma. Norman Powell has stepped up in his absence, providing steady scoring from the backcourt and playing with a level of physicality and consistency that Miami values. If Powell continues to thrive, Herro might find himself taking a backseat - not because he’s not talented, but because his fit with this version of the Heat is starting to feel less essential.
Herro’s return could still give Miami a boost. He’s a shot creator, a floor spacer, and someone who can swing a game when he’s hot. But the Heat’s recent moves - and their performance without him - suggest they may be recalibrating what his role should be moving forward.
Whether that means a reduced role, a bench spark plug, or a headline piece in a future trade package remains to be seen. But one thing’s clear: Herro is at a crossroads in Miami, and how he responds when he’s back on the court could shape not just the rest of this season, but the next chapter of his career.