FanSided expansion Draft: Who should the Miami Heat protect?

Tyler Herro

This one might be surprising to you. The Miami Heat selected Tyler Herro as the 14th pick in the last draft and I’m already placing him as the third player to be protected. But is that too soon? And should Butler be on this list instead?

Herro had a respectable rookie season, averaging 12.9 points, 4.0 rebounds, 1.9 steals on 53.4 percent true shooting. What stood out the most from this year is his exceptional shooting ability. For the season, he averaged 2.1 makes on 5.4 attempts, which is just below 40 percent at 39.1 percent.

His offensive ceiling is high.

For half of the season, he was just a 19 year old; yet he played with guts and confidence as he was a veteran. There were 16 games where he was splashing from downtown, making 3 or more threes. There were nine games where he scored over 20.

And although he had tunnel vision this season and lacked some playmaking, he has shown flashes of it and the potential. So, Herro on the offensive end is on the right path. I believe he has the tools and the IQ to be one of the best offensive guards in the league.

Similar to Robinson, his shooting will only get better and these two players could become the second-best shooting duo just next season.

But there is the other side of the court.

He isn’t the worst defender in the league, but I wouldn’t consider him above average either. Per BBall-Index, Herro is in the 56th percentile in perimeter defense. Not bad. Not good.

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However, before we get over critical for his defense, we must remember that he is a rookie and rookies typically don’t perform well on defense.

That’s normal though and acceptable. They are coming out straight out of college and are playing against grown men who are better, faster, and stronger. But as long as there is an effort on that side of the ball, then there is hope.

Do you really think the Heat’s system won’t change Herro’s ability on defense?

Now, you may be wondering why I haven’t picked Butler as the last guy. Well, it’s not because of his ability as a player but instead, his age and contract.

He is 30 years old and is on a max deal. Butler is not getting better; this is his peak.

Whereas Herro is still on his rookie deal, getting better every day, and has a long career. He may never reach what Butler is doing currently or be a top-10 player, but with a cheaper option and high potential, this would allow the Heat to get more free agents or use him as a trade piece.

Regardless of who the Miami Heat would protect, the two locks are Adebayo and Robinson. Whoever you want to protect with that third pick is your choice and there is no wrong choice.