The Miami Heat should seriously be second-guessing their loyalty to Tyler Herro. If nothing else, Norman Powell could give the Heat another option if they can't find a middle ground on extension talks with Herro next summer.
That's not necessarily an indictment of Herro, but it mostly speaks to just how good Powell has looked in a Heat uniform.
Since his preseason debut, there's not much that Powell has done wrong. Through the first two regular-season games, Powell is averaging 22 points, eight rebounds, and three assists per game on 48 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Norman Powell is making Heat fans forget about Tyler Herro
He's been productive enough for the Heat so far this year that they haven't missed Herro all that much. Of course, that doesn't mean the Heat doesn't need Herro anymore or that he can't certainly help this team right now, but you can't help but wonder if the team's perspective on him is beginning to shift.
Because if Powell is able to be just as productive as Herro for a percentage of his cost, it's only natural for the Heat to completely rethink their upcoming decision on his future. And, in turn, perhaps it could open up so many more possibilities for Miami.
Either way, by the end of the season, something has to give for the Heat. They're going to be forced to make a decision one way or another. Herro has just two years left on his contract, and Powell is in the final year of his current deal.
I don't think it's as cut and dry as the Heat having to choose between them, but it would make a lot of sense if that was part of the future vision. And if their numbers are that similar, the decision is pretty simple. Sure, Herro is younger and offers slightly more playmaking upside, but I'm not sure if that's worth another $20 million per year, which Herro would likely be asking for.
That's especially true if the goal for the Heat is to acquire a superstar player within the next couple of seasons.
If Powell continues to hold his own and fill the "Herro role" effectively until he returns, this narrative is only going to gain steam. The fact that there are already whispers of this developing after just two regular-season games is quite telling.
Powell and Herro are both really good players, but there's no question that the Heat could be getting some much-needed clarification on the latter with how well the former has played so far this season.