Erik Spoelstra should jump on a recent NBA trend to help jump-start the struggling Miami Heat. This would involve bringing Tyler Herro off the bench as they slowly integrate him back into the rotation when he returns from injury.
Honestly, this is probably the route they should've taken when he initially made his season debut, but nonetheless, Spo could look to adopt a theory that has worked for several other All-Star players across the league.
The New Orleans Pelicans have gone down this route with Zion Williamson, the Cleveland Cavaliers did so with Evan Mobley, and the San Antonio Spurs have even experimented with this with Victor Wembanyama over the last few games.
It's probably not something that will last for either of those players, but it has proven to be effective.
Erik Spoelstra should bring Tyler Herro off the bench
The All Stars are still getting their high-minute usage, but they're just being staggered differently throughout the game. And with how much the Heat have been struggling of late, it could make sense for the Heat to try such a tactic in hopes of jump-starting the team.
Add in the fact that Herro has proven to be an effective player off the bench, winning the NBA's Sixth Man of the Year award in 2022, and there's some precedent for it.
Spo is electing to go down this route when Herro returns, which could be the perfect time for it. He could spin this as slowly integrating Herro back into the lineup while also hoping this experiment could help jump-start the team.
At this point, Spo should be exploring new ways to try and spark this team heading into the new year. If the Heat are going to pull themselves out of the recent hole that they've dug for themselves, Spo is going to have to get creative.
Short of the team making a big win-now move at the NBA Trade Deadline, it's difficult to envision how things are going to dramatically change for Miami. That's why pulling out all the tricks may be the Heat's only shot to salvage this season.
Perhaps bringing Herro off the bench when he returns is exactly what this team needs. It could be the jolt that they need to help them get back on track, especially on the offensive end of the floor.
At the very least, it's certainly something that Spo should consider. And with the success that this trend has slowly had across the league, perhaps the Heat should be the next team willing to go down this route.