![\"Feb](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_0,y_103,w_4868,h_2738\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/115\/01k5w5petwk15scps7w3.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Miami Heat\u2019s pursuit of another star is among the most frequently discussed topics across the NBA lexicon. Most of the time, these conversations dance around what should be clearly, if painfully, obvious: Landing another big name is almost assuredly going to require that Pat Riley and the rest of the front office part with Tyler Herro.<\/p>\n
This harsh reality is hinted at in the presumed stance on Herro\u2019s extension eligibility. Beginning in October, he can sign a three-year deal worth up to $150 million. Hardly anybody expects him to get that much, or even extension at all.<\/p>\n
Paying him eats into Miami\u2019s projected cap flexibility in 2027, when as of now, it can carve out north of $90 million. But forgoing a Herro extension isn\u2019t just about that. Nor is it about the complications of evaluating him in the aftermath of his recent ankle surgery.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s about keeping him trade-eligible\u2014and also ensuring he remains someone for whom teams want to actually trade.<\/p>\n
Superstar-trade packages do not have an exact formula, but they tend to follow one of two blueprints: Either they feature mountains of draft capital, or they are headlined by a young-ish blue-chip player and more modest amounts of first-round picks.<\/p>\n
Miami does not have the draft equity necessary to get by on draft selections and filler alone. It can only trade up two first-rounders this season. And though this number increases to four over the summer, that still won\u2019t be enough to complete deals for top-tier stars. Desmond Bane just fetched five first-round picks (four outright, and one swap), and he\u2019s never made an All-Star game.<\/p>\n
Outgoing salary will need to be part of the value Miami sends out. That\u2019s a problem, too. It has contracts to match money, but soon-to-be-rebuilding teams won\u2019t trip over themselves for Terry Rozier\u2019s expiring deal, or Andrew Wiggins\u2019 contract (2026-27 player option).<\/p>\n
Herro, on the other hand, is a 25-year-old All-Star. He is someone who should pique other teams\u2019 attention. The question is: Will he?<\/p>\n
Stigmas against guards who aren\u2019t floor generals and can\u2019t play minutes at the 3 have reached an all-time high. Guys like Cam Thomas, Collin Sexton, Anfernee Simons, Jalen Green, and more have failed to net lucrative long-term deals, or bring back a ton of assets in trades.<\/p>\n
To be sure, Herro is better than all of them. What that means for his trade value remains to be seen. He wasn\u2019t coveted by the Portland Trail Blazers in Damian Lillard negotiations on his current deal. While he has proven a lot since then, it\u2019s not like we\u2019re hearing rampant rumors about how much teams want him.<\/p>\n
Which brings us back to his extension. If he\u2019s a spotty trade asset now<\/em>, the Heat can\u2019t afford to sign him to another deal that undermines whatever market appeal he does have. He could technically become more valuable on the right<\/em> extension, but that requires a very specific set of terms. And even then, we have to ask: Who\u2019s the team banging down Miami\u2019s door to offer multiple firsts for him?<\/p>\n No matter how you slice it, the Heat still wind up in the same spot: Their pursuit of that next star hinges not only on a willingness to move Herro, but on other teams assigning premium value to his services.<\/p>\n If the Heat are serious about acquiring another star, they must come to terms with the idea that Tyler Herro will be included in any trade.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":103559,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-103557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nba"],"yoast_head":"\n