ESPN's Brian Windhorst shared a nugget that he envisions it is "doubtful" that the Miami Heat will have a deal in place to extend Tyler Herro before Monday's deadline. Herro is under contract for this season and next, but signing an extension now could have guaranteed a three-year, $149.7 million contract, versus waiting and having the price tag go up to four years and $206.9 million.
Given the state of Miami's roster, ignoring Herro's offseason foot injury, it feels like a risky gambit to not extend the one All-Star the team had last season.
But in truth, opting to kick the can down the road makes perfect sense for the Heat.
Miami and Herro not close on a deal
This preseason has revealed that Miami doesn't have a ton of answers to put the ball in the hoop without Herro on the court. Erik Spoelstra has tried to make the Heat more uptempo and has tried to mix and match his way to points, but Miami just hasn't been able to score.
Heading into Friday night's preseason finale, Miami has the 4th fewest points per game and the 4th worst field goal percentage among NBA teams this preseason.
Other attempted offseason moves have been met with a mixed bag. Norman Powell has looked solid at times, but the choice to move Keshad Johnson to a standard contract and the reunion with Precious Achiuwa have not gotten off to a great start this preseason.
Add in signing Nikola Jovic to a big extension, only for him to promptly get hurt, and this preseason has revealed that Miami needs Herro more than ever.
But beyond his foot injury, there are very real concerns as to why Herro just isn't a $50 million guy in the NBA. At his current contract, he is a perfectly fine value, but he has yet to prove he is the "it" guy worth anchoring half a decade of your franchise to.
Tim Bontemps of ESPN points out another very real reason why Miami is opting to kick the can down the road with Herro despite the current makeup of the roster:
"Because, sources say, the Heat -- like many other teams around the league -- are planning for that aforementioned 2027 free agent class.
Will Jokic, Antetokounmpo, Jokic, Mitchell and Davis all hit unrestricted free agency that summer? It's unlikely. Whether they do or not, several other star names could join them, including Stephen Curry, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kawhi Leonard, Trae Young, Zach LaVine, James Harden and Kyrie Irving."
In other words, Miami isn't going to make a choice until they have to.
And while it may seem risky to even open up the possibility Herro could walk, the Heat seem willing to play that game for now.