Heat will likely lean into newly acquired guard to fill Tyler Herro void

Despite Tyler Herro’s injury, the Heat are fortunate to have acquired a new scoring option in the backcourt ready to make his mark.
(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Miami Heat will have to open their first near-15 games of the 2025-26 without their top scorer in Tyler Herro, after undergoing a successful surgery on his left foot. But the mentality of “next man up” will always be a staple mindset for Heat Culture.

Luckily for the Heat, they just acquired a proven ignitable scoring option in the trade market this summer in Norman Powell.

Powell is coming off a career-year of his own with the LA Clippers. The 32-year-old guard posted a career-high 21.8 points on 48% from the field and an impressive 42% from 3-point range.

Herro may be the much better playmaker, with his 5.5 assists compared to Powell’s 2.1 assists a year ago. But the Heat’s newest veteran can at least come close to replicating the scoring production, which will now be needed more than ever.

Offensively, the Heat could be looking at a similar situation as they were last season— except with Powell plugged into the featured perimeter scorer role that Herro held. The main priority in acquiring him was to help supplement the Herro-Bam Adebayo duo, although that on-court product will now be delayed a bit until Herro returns.

Norman Powell has expressed excitement to prove himself with the Miami Heat amidst a contract year.

For Powell, this is perhaps the most ideal situation to temporarily be in.

He is on an expiring near $20 million salary heading into his first campaign in Miami. And according to recent reports, the Heat have already expressed a willingness to sign him to a new contract extension if things go well to begin the year.

Considering that Powell will now be the most capable offensive asset in coach Erik Spoelstra’s lineup in Herro’s absence, he will have a perfect opportunity to earn his way into a new deal. At the age of 32 years old, the Heat acquired him at perhaps the peak of his prime.

This could be his last chance to secure one final long-term contract as he approaches his mid-30s.

With Herro being sidelined, Powell is primed to be the team’s top scorer while getting some much needed usage to get comfortable within the Heat’s system. He was regarded as one of the steals of the offseason for what Miami gave up for him— along with being labeled as one of the biggest All-Star snubs during last season.

Do you think Powell can help hold it down offensively while Herro is out? Let us know in the comments!

Heat will likely lean into newly acquired guard to fill Tyler Herro void

Tags: