3 offseason moves for the Miami Heat to stay strong

3 offseason moves for the Miami Heat: Wait on Tyler Herro extension

Tyler Herro won the NBA’s Most Improved Player award this season, averaging 20.7 points and leading the team in total minutes played despite starting just 10 games. He was the epitome of a microwave scorer and on a team that didn’t have an electric shotmaker at any other position. The Heat needed Herro.

The difficulty with Herro, and the reason he comes off the bench, is that he is a terrible defensive player. His athleticism and speed allow him to make some highlight plays every now and then, but generally, he is a sieve that opponents target again and again. The Miami Heat start five solid (or better) defenders in setting their identity; Herro is a crack in the armor.

This summer, he will be eligible for a rookie extension that would kick in after next season. The problem with extending Herro now is that he is coming off a career and award-winning year and will command a large salary. For a player who had a breakout rookie season before regressing, somewhat, last year, waiting until Herro hits restricted free agency next summer lets them test him this upcoming year.

Does Herro regress again, or can he build on his gains this season? Is his incredible shot-making going to wax and wane, or is it a consistent tool in his arsenal? Perhaps most importantly, can he focus on his defense and improve enough for Miami to rely on him in big-pressure situations?

Being patient gives them an entire season’s worth of extra data to use in negotiating his next contract.

The Heat have a versatile team and the best player development system in the league, which gives them a leg up on making changes on the margins. If they bring back Oladipo, trade Robinson and are patient with Herro’s contract, they can balance the present and future while going for another trip to the NBA Finals next year.