If Tyler Herro is hoping to agree to a contract extension with the Miami Heat before the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, he can’t be happy with what just transpired between the Brooklyn Nets and Cam Thomas.

Instead of agreeing to a long-term extension with the Nets, Thomas opted to sign a one-year qualifying offer with the team. Could that have been done so Thomas could take command of his future? Sure. However, the bigger reason why Thomas had to “settle” for such a move revolves around the idea that the Nets didn’t want to give him a particularly long or expensive contract extension.

What does this have to do with the Heat and Herro? Fair question. But it’s the idea that Herro and Thomas are similar players, and that if Thomas had a rough time finding a long-term deal of his liking, the odds are that Herro is going to find himself in a very similar spot.

Herro becomes contract extension eligible October 1, but if he and the Heat can’t agree to a deal, he’ll have an opportunity to his unrestricted free agency next summer. In many ways, the ball is in the Heat’s court.

Should the Heat pay Herro now or take a big gamble?

This is a huge decision, a franchise-altering one perhaps. So it would make sense for the Heat to ensure they are making the right one. Essentially, this is what the Heat have to decide: Should they look to pay Herro now or take a gamble and roll the dice on this season with the expectation that he could leave in unrestricted free agency next summer?

It’s difficult to answer without knowing the specifics of what may be transpiring for the organization behind the scenes. However, there are strong arguments on both sides.

I’m sure Herro and his representatives are going to go to the Heat (when the time comes) with a number. If the Heat feels comfortable matching it, an agreement will probably take place. The biggest question, of course, revolves around what Herro believes he’s worth and what the Heat are comfortable with offering.

There’s a chance that those numbers are nowhere near close to each other, and that could be the biggest indication of what will end up transpiring between the two sides.

I’m sure Herro would love an extension to get done before the start of this season. The Heat probably echoes that sentiment, at their market price. One thing is for sure, though, and it’s the fact that the situation between Thomas and the Nets could reveal the cruel reality of what the Heat and Herro may be walking into in a few weeks.