The Miami Heat are ready for the regular season to tip-off. Going 4-1 in their five preseason games, they would see themselves finish things on a great note as they dismantled the New Orleans Pelicans on Wednesday night, 120-103.
Along the way towards this point though, there were several areas of business to address. While figuring out the starting power forward situation was one thing, a situation that is in more than good hands with what Caleb Martin and dynamic rookie, Nikola Jovic, have shown, they also had to get Tyler Herro locked up.
And locked up they did, as Herro would eventually sign a four-year pact with Miami for $130 million dollars.
Herro’s deal came after the Knicks had locked up RJ Barrett in late August, at four years and $120 million. So, you had Barrett and his $120, Herro’s $130, and then came this one on Saturday afternoon.
ESPN story on Golden State's Jordan Poole finalizing a four-year, $140M contract extension: https://t.co/OQB6oKiK5h
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) October 15, 2022
And it makes sense, but so does this funny little quirk to it all, well, sort of.
The Miami Heat got Tyler Herro locked into a deal that was shaped by RJ Barrett in New York. And like that situation, Jordan Poole’s was shaped by Herro’s.
They all could have been “waiting” for one another.
All going in the first round of the 2019 NBA Draft, Barrett’s deal would always set up Herro’s deal, which would always set up Poole’s deal after the way the last few seasons have played out. And here’s where things get really interesting.
Barrett was drafted first at three and got paid first, though less because he “set the market”. Then came Herro’s deal, who was drafted second of the trio at 13, “resetting the market” with his deal.
Which inevitably made sense for Jordan Poole and his people to wait for, as that would always set him up to receive the most of the three with just a little patience. All equitable and fair deals, any of the three slotting into any of the positions or deals would have been fair.
And Tyler Herro feels the same way. In fact and per Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Herro is happy to see his fellow Milwaukeean get a ‘bag’.
"No Tyler Herro issue with Jordan Poole get larger total extension, “It’s amazing. You know, he’s from Milwaukee, as well. I’m super happy for him. Guys get paid in the league and I’m happy two guys from Wisconsin or from Milwaukee can get a pretty good sized bag.”"
So, all is fair that ends fair. This, again, was bound to happen.
The most interesting development of it all might be this though. What’s that mean for Draymond Green and his future with Golden State?
Who knows? But what we do know is this.
The NBA, with all its on-court glory and off-court story—is back!