Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro is a somewhat polarizing player in NBA circles. The Kentucky product has had a successful NBA career thus far, averaging 16.7 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 3.2 assists throughout his career. Herro took another step forward this season by increasing his averages to 20.7 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. Herro also shot a career-high 39.9% on 3-point attempts. He just won Sixth Man of the Year and also has made quite the statement with his off-court fashion.

While the success of the 22-year-old has been notable, his future is still somewhat unclear. Following his third season in which he made just over $4 million, Tyler Herro is eligible for a rookie extension in which he could ink up to a five-year, $186 million deal. He is still under contract for next season on a $5.7 million contract for the season and then would be a restricted free agent if there is no extension.

It has seemed that Tyler Herro has been a consistent part of Miami's long-term plans, but signing on for this type of long-term deal is a difficult decision for the franchise. The Heat are close to their championship goals but fell short to the Celtics in Game 7, with Herro playing just seven minutes and not scoring as he dealt with a groin issue. The franchise must be calculated in their next moves to ensure they reach this potential. Giving this type of high-value extension could ultimately sink the direction of the Heat.

While he is a very good NBA player with a bright future ahead, the Heat should pass on giving Tyler Herro a massive long-term deal.

Why Heat must not give Tyler Herro a massive extension in 2022 NBA offseason

Not Much Value Over Replacement

Tyler Herro does it at a high level, but his skill set is not unique in comparison to most NBA players. He is capable of serving as an electrifying spark off the bench, but there are holes in his game. The Heat have an effective system in place which is fairly shooter-friendly. The Heat led the NBA in team 3-point percentage during the regular season at 37.9%. Their effective floor spacing was vital to the team's success and required multiple shooters on the court.

While his isolation ability is Herro's distinguishing quality, there are plenty of NBA players capable of knocking down 3-pointers. There is plenty of evidence of this on the Heat roster as well. Duncan Robinson, Max Strus, and Gabe Vincent all played key roles this season. Each of these players went undrafted and slipped through the cracks of the NBA.

There is a ton to like about Tyler Herro's skill set and ability. However, he is not a game-changing player in the way his price tag may demand. If he does seek the high-priced contract, there are plenty of players the Heat could plug in to fill his role.

Defense Matters

When building a team for playoff success, each weakness must be kept in mind. Tyler Herro has a pretty notable weakness on the defensive end. This becomes extremely clear in the postseason and also contradicts a key principle defined by “Heat Culture.”

The Celtics actively attacked Herro on defense in the Eastern Conference Finals and had great success with it. Erik Spoelstra was forced to pull him off the court this postseason due to him being unable to make a defensive impact. Herro saw his minutes slip from 32.6 minutes per game in the regular season to 25.4 minutes per game in the playoffs.

With such little margin for error when building a roster, this type of defensive inefficiency matters. While there may be hope he can improve in this area, Herro's overall ceiling as a player is capped if this is not the case. There is certainly still a role for his dynamic offensive play off the bench. However, signing up to give Herro a long-term deal at such a high price tag should be reconsidered. There are some players whose style does not translate well enough in the postseason, and Tyler Herro is an example of this.

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The Miami Heat had a very successful season and fell just short of the NBA Finals. However, there is still plenty of work to be done this summer and they cannot be content with how the roster currently is. The conversation with Tyler Herro is sure to be near the top of Pat Riley's to-do list this summer.

At the right price, Herro is certainly a player the team should want on a long-term extension. However, if his price tag will not come below a max or near-max value, the Heat would be wise to pass and let things play out with him next season before restricted free agency.