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NBA trade rumors surrounding Tyler Herro leaving the Miami Heat have been picking up steam lately. Multiple teams are interested in trading for the second-year guard this summer if the Heat do make him available.
The Miami Heat endured a disappointing 2021 NBA Playoffs, getting swept 0-4 in the first round against the Milwaukee Bucks. They are looking to capitalize on the rise of Bam Adebayo and the prime of Jimmy Butler to land their first NBA title since 2013.
Tyler Herro has emerged as one of their best trading blocks to acquire another superstar that could provide invaluable support to Butler and Adebayo in the coming season.
Herro did not make the kind of leap that he was expected to have after a solid rookie year. His numbers did see a rise, but he was inconsistent for large periods and had a dismal playoffs campaign as well. It's rumored to be a key reason why the Miami Heat could be willing to explore trades involving him.
The Miami Heat have been reluctant to let go of their young talent in the past and reportedly even refused to include him in trades for the likes of James Harden and Kyle Lowry. That could change, though, and it may not be in their best interests to trade Tyler Herro at this stage.
On that note, we list three reasons why trading Herro isn't the best solution to the Miami Heat's cause at the moment.
#3 Tyler Herro's contract gives the Miami Heat cap flexibility
Tyler Herro is still on his rookie-scale contract and is owed roughly $10 million over the next two seasons, the 2022-23 season being a team option. If the Miami Heat decide to let go of players like Goran Dragic and Andre Iguodala, they can create more cap space to sign top free agent prospects in the market.
Dragic, 35, has a $19 million team option, while Iguodala, 37, has a $15 million team option for next season. Not exercising those contracts would benefit the Miami Heat immensely in their pursuit of top-quality free agents.
Meanwhile, Tyler Herro is on a value-for-money contract and is still a lethal option coming off the bench or as a starter if need be. He averaged 15.1 points per game during the 2020-21 NBA season, which are considered to be remarkable numbers for a developing role player who is yet to reach his ceiling.
#2 Tyler Herro is the only guaranteed young star that will be with the roster in the next season
The Miami Heat are likely to see multiple young stars like Kendrick Nunn and Duncan Robinson depart in free agency this summer.
Robinson and Nunn are restricted free agents, meaning the Miami Heat can look to match offers given by other teams. Instead, they can sign-and-trade them to acquire a third star or a role player to help improve the squad's depth.
That leaves them with only Tyler Herro as the brightest young prospect on the team, who may develop into an All-Star caliber player in the coming years. Letting him go will force them into a rebuild after three or four years of their pursuit of championship success. That isn't something the Heat have explored for a very long time now.
The Miami Heat do not have any draft picks available this summer either. Herro's presence will give them a solid boost off the bench and as a key starter and core piece alongside someone like Bam Adebayo in the future once Butler leaves.
#1 Tyler Herro and the Miami Heat could use the long offseason to regroup and prepare well for next season
The 2020-21 NBA season wasn't an ideal one for any team with the Covid-19 pandemic, a shortened offseason, a shortened campaign and a plethora of injuries that took place. The Miami Heat, in particular, were a team that suffered a lot because of that as they were the last to leave the Orlando Bubble along with champions LA Lakers last season.
Tyler Herro, being in his sophomore year, had a lot of pressure and very little time to prepare for this season. If that is taken into consideration, he did a respectable job of at least not letting his numbers dip and making steady progress instead.
His average of 3.4 assists per game doesn't suggest that he improved in the playmaking aspect, but it was something that he did look more comfortable with this season. He was making better decisions, showing composure, and passing the ball well as opposed to just being the pick-and-throw shooter he was during his rookie year.
Even veteran stars like Anthony Davis struggled to perform well before he was sidelined with injuries to kick-start the 2020-21 NBA season. Keeping that in mind, it would be harsh to say that Herro, 21, was outright disappointing this season.
Herro also played through a foot injury for most of the games and wasn't in peak physical condition during the 2020-21 NBA campaign. The upcoming offseason is a fantastic opportunity for him to be in top shape and prepare well for next season.
Tyler Herro will be in his third season next year and Bam Adebayo is a player who flourished in his third season. That is something the Miami Heat should look to consider before they actively shop Herro in the offseason.
