The Miami Heat's offseason work is not done just yet. But with the latest rumors surrounding what Tyler Herro could command on his next contract extension, his future with the Heat may be quite clear. And to be perfectly honest, I'm not sure there's a clear path where the Heat could afford Herro.
There's a belief from Five Reasons Sports insider Greg Sylvander that Herro is probably going to ask north of $40 million per year from the Heat.
Sylvander notes that Herro has continued to improve and has even reached All-Star status as a player. Piggybacking off Mikal Bridges' recent extension with the New York Knicks, Herro asking for $40+ million isn't outlandish, and he expects that's exactly what will happen.
At that point, the ball will then be in Miami's court to make a decision.
The Heat can't afford Herro
If this is the number that Herro asks for when he becomes contract extension eligible on October 1, I'm not sure there's a way the Heat can afford him. If it's the Heat's goal to land a superstar player in the next couple of seasons, it's borderline impossible to do that with Bam playing at a max already, and by giving Herro this expensive of an extension.
In all likelihood, the Heat will table this conversation for another season (in hopes they could talk Herro down a few million), but there should be plenty of doubt and hesitation about whether the two sides could find common ground.
Is there a middle-ground to be found?
This is not about the Heat not believing in Herro or about Herro not being a good enough player. This is a big-picture decision that will go a long way in dictating the future for this franchise. Right now, it's not in the best interest of the Heat to re-sign Herro to that big of a number.
If there's a way the Heat and Herro can meet at a number closer to $30 million, then the whole narrative and conversation can shift. And it would behoove the Heat to get something done.
I wouldn't have a huge issue with the Heat giving him a three-year, $100 million extension. But the Heat paying Herro anything more than $34 million per year would be extremely difficult to digest - not just for the fan base, but also for the salary implications it would have on the franchise moving forward.
If Herro digs his toes in the dirt, I can't envision a scenario where the Heat comes around and gives him the extension he's seeking (assuming these rumors are accurate). If the Heat are going to stick to their long-term plans, we may very well be entering Herro's final season with the team.