There's a strong likelihood that the Miami Heat will be forced into what should be considered an impossible decision revolving around Tyler Herro at the NBA Trade Deadline. Should they or shouldn't the Heat trade Herro?
Having to make a decision on his future, the Heat also has to juggle its aggressiveness to land another star player. In almost every scenario, Herro would be a key trade piece in the Heat's pursuit of a big-name at the deadline.
The Heat might be open to trading Tyler Herro
In pretty much saying the quiet part out loud, NBA insider Jake Fischer stated the obvious when he recently editorialized that the Heat's decision not to agree to a contract extension with Herro automatically makes his contract movable in the right deal.
Key words, "in the right deal."
And that's the juggling act the Heat will have to manage leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline.
If, in fact, the Heat aren't willing to pay Herro the big-money contract extension that he's going to be in line for in the next couple of seasons, it would make sense to trade him soon. However, the Heat still values Herro and is not interested in making a move just for the sake of trading him.
If the Heat were to move off of Herro, it would have to be in a deal that makes sense. Essentially, it would have to be as part of a superstar acquisition.
Will the right trade target be available for the Heat at the deadline?
And there lies the problem for the Heat.
Because, sure, why wouldn't the Heat trade Herro for a superstar? But, at the same time, the obvious superstar trade target may not be available at the deadline.
At least for now, the "stars" who you'd expect to be available at the trade deadline include Trae Young, Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis, and maybe LaMelo Ball.
There are certainly some strong names on this list, but I'm not sure if any of these players is one that this Heat front office would be willing to burn its best asset on. Despite his polarizing reputation across the league, Herro is probably one of the Heat's best assets on paper.
It's certainly an interesting next couple of months for the Heat. They clearly need to make a star upgrade if they want to emerge as a genuine contender in the Eastern Conference.
Herro would almost certainly have to be part of any big move the Heat makes. Of course, the question is, when is the right time to trade Herro, if that's even an option for the franchise? For the first time, this year's NBA Trade Deadline will be the first time it truly makes sense for the team to make such a move.
Will they do it?