Tyler Herro’s future with the Miami Heat was in doubt throughout the offseason due to several trade rumors, but it turns out the Heat did appreciate the 23-year-old when considering getting Bradley Beal in exchange for him.
Beal, a reputed Heat target early in the offseason, was eventually traded by the Washington Wizards to the Phoenix Suns. Days later, Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers sought a trade, and Miami’s pursuit of the point guard began, with Herro apparently the core of the Heat’s bids.
That potential deal fell through as well, with the Trail Blazers moving the All-Star to the Milwaukee Bucks as part of a three-team deal that also featured the Suns. Throughout the offseason, Miami was supposed to be Lillard’s final destination, while Herro was thought to be on his way somewhere else.
That was not the case, and now the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year will be expected to play a significant role as he opens the first season of a four-year deal extension for an average of $30 million per year. In comparison, Beal, 30, is set to earn almost $52 million per season for the next four seasons if he exercises his player option for the 2026-27 season.
Lillard, 33, is under contract for at least three more seasons, during which he will make more than $152 million.
In some circumstances, the finest deals are the ones a team does not make, and if Herro can contribute significantly during a good run of Heat seasons, that could be the case in this case.
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