The Miami Heat's failure to make the Tyler Herro and Norman Powell pairing work together will ultimately be the biggest Achilles heel for the team down the stretch. It could end up being the biggest reason why Miami ends up right back in the Play-In Tournament.
Herro and Powell have a negative net rating when they're on the floor together this season. Overall, the Heat are just 5-8 in games this season when both are healthy and in the lineup. Miami struggled again in a loss to the Orlando Magic with both Herro and Powell back in the fold.
It's an unfortunate riddle that Erik Spoelstra hasn't been able to figure out, but it's quickly becoming a bigger problem than perhaps the team even may be willing to admit.
Norman Powell an Tyler Herro have faltered together
When the Heat originally acquired Powell last offseason, the hope was that he'd be an immediate help to their offensive arsenal. While that has indeed been the case this year, it's put Herro in an odd situation.
With both players eerily similar, they haven't been able to mesh together. Their games don't complement one another, and Spo hasn't found the right formula for how they could positively make an impact together.
It's quietly become one of the bigger disappointments for the Heat this season. Individually, it's easy to see their value. However, the fact that the Heat haven't been able to find a place for them together has made this entire experiment one massive failure.
The Heat may have to pick between Herro and Powell
At this point, and unless something changes drastically, it's hard to envision both Herro and Powell being on the Heat roster next season
With the way they've struggled together, you get the idea that the Heat will almost certainly have to choose between the two. It's a development that may not have been all that clear to see just a few months ago.
Herro has one year left on his contract after this season, while Powell will test unrestricted free agency this summer.
Despite the Heat's missed gamble, it's emerged as one of the bigger reasons why this team just hasn't been able to hit its stride this season.
This goes well beyond the Heat's showing against the Magic and has quietly been one of the biggest elephants inside the Heat's locker room.
Even though neither side will admit it, the Heat's inability to make the Herro and Powell pairing a net negative for the team has been a huge surprise. And, at this point, you can't help but wonder if it's one of the bigger reasons why the Heat will find itself right back in the Play-In Tournament.