Despite some real optimism, it's difficult to envision how Tyler Herro's injury is not going to sink the Miami Heat's season before it even begins. That's because without Herro, the team lacks the necessary on-ball playmaking that their offense is going to need to prove to be effective.
Even with a healthy Herro, the team already had a short list of guards who could be considered above-average on-ball playmakers. Without Herro, that list gets significantly smaller. Last season, Herro ran the second-most pick-and-rolls in the NBA. How the Heat is going to successfully replace that remains to be seen.
How the Heat may try to replace Tyler Herro
Sure, the hope is that the acquisition of Norman Powell could help offset the loss of Herro early on, and maybe Davion Mitchell will show enough development as a playmaker to help make up for Herro's absence, too. But beyond those two players, whose contributions are far from a certainty, there are too many question marks for the Heat in the backcourt to feel any level of comfort heading into the start of the season.
Dru Smith looked good in his preseason debut this year, but he's not a playmaker. Kasparas Jakucionis may not even be able to sniff the floor this season, and who knows what the plan is for Terry Rozier. Pelle Larsson is probably going to get some run, but not significant time as the primary playmaker.
If he does, the Heat may have some bigger issues on their hands.
On paper, it's understandably difficult to envision how the Heat is going to replace Herro's production, especially with the ball in his hands.
But that's where the emergence of Nikola Jovic could pay dividends for the team. It's probably unfair to place those types of expectations on Jovic, but if the Heat is going to successfully stay afloat or in the mix in the Eastern Conference, they're going to need one of their young, budding stars to step up in a big way.
That could very well be Jovic.
Nikola Jovic's hot start in training camp
And if the whispers surrounding Jovic heading into the start of the regular season are any indication, he could very well be in line for a big year. He's reportedly gotten off to a great start in training camp and proved as much during his short stint in the team's first preseason game.
With the uncertainty revolving around the team's offense with Herro out, Jovic may be their best option to help replace some of his consistent playmaking and scoring.