The Miami Heat are aiming to try and build despite their limited flexibility heading into free agency.
Team president Pat Riley is highly unlikely to ‘blow it up’ and embrace tanking to start building a new Miami Heat team from scratch.
But he is expected to try and make moves. The problem for Miami is that they lack assets, if they want to build around Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro, or even rookie Kel’el Ware.
Miami are still in the mix to try and trade for Kevin Durant, showing their intentions to keep building, and drastic action might be required.
This ties in to the big decision face the Miami Heat, whether to extend Tyler Herro.
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesTyler Herro fell off in the playoffs
Tyler Herro led the Miami Heat in points with 1,840 in the 2024-25 season. Bam Adebayo followed with 1,410.
Herro’s 23.9 points per game was a critical part of Miami’s offense, holding them together during a tough season.
But in the playoffs he fell off, with the clear differentiation in his numbers illustrated in the graphic below via Sofascore.
During the playoffs the Miami Heat were swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who were subsequently defeat 4-1 in their series to the Indiana Pacers.
Heat fans were unhappy with Herro’s performance in their Game 4 elimination to the Cavs, and his numbers for the playoffs were unhappy reading.
Herro was an average -21.8 in plus-minus for the playoffs, having been a net positive at +1.3 during the regular season.
His numbers in all statistical categories were down, from his points per game, rebounds, assists, field goal percentage and three point percentage.
Cavaliers players spoke publicly on how they were targeting Herro defensively, and they took full advantage during their sweep.
Tyler Herro contract decision due
Tyler Herro becomes eligible for a big money extension later this year, and the Heat have been tipped to agree a three-year $150 million deal.
His poor performances in the playoffs should prompt some reconsideration, entering the 2025 offseason.
Bam Adebayo warned nobody is safe from Pat Riley shaking the team up in the offseason.
Tyler Herro should not be considered untouchable. The notion that the Heat lack assets is based on the assumption they want to keep hold of the 25-year-old.
He is a top asset they could flip, if they wanted to really change up their roster and make a play for a superstar.
The most likely scenario is Herro stays in Miami and signs his extension, but this offseason they need to explore all their options, and be open to the idea of moving on.