Miami Heat Fans Praise Tyler Herro's All-Star Selection

Jan 27, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) reacts after scoring against the Orlando Magic during double overtime at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Jan 27, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (14) reacts after scoring against the Orlando Magic during double overtime at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images / Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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After an impressive first half of the season, Tyler Herro was officially named an All-Star reserve on Thursday.

The Eastern Conference is full of great guards but Herro's play stood out to the voters. On X, many Miami Heat fans shared their joy seeing the 2019 first-round pick earn his first All-Star nod.

To start his career, Herro served as a spark plug off the bench. With the Jimmy Butler trade rumors looming throughout the young season, Herro embraced a new role with the team as the No. 1 scorer.

When the Heat were rumored to be interested in Damian Lillard in 2023, Herro's name was consistently brought up in trade talks. However, he hadn't let those rumors impact his play on the court as he improved in many statistical categories each year.

This season, Herro is posting career-highs in multiple categories. He is averaging 24.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 5.4 assists while shooting 47.4 percent from the field. He is also shooting a career-high 40 percent from beyond the arc. Amid his breakout season, Herro is one of the frontrunners to take home the Most Improved Player award in terms of betting odds.

The 2019 first-round pick from Kentucky has been the main attraction for the Heat this season. Currently, the team sits at the No. 7 seed in the East with a 23-23 record. After the All-Star game in two weeks, Herro's next mission is to help lead the Heat to their sixth consecutive playoff appearance.

REPORT: WARRIORS 'BACK IN MIX' FOR BUTLER

The Heat recently lowered their asking price after the disgruntled star's multiple suspensions. Butler has reportedly stated the only team he does not want to join are the No. 3 seed Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference.

On X, NBA insider Kevin O'Connor reported the Golden State Warriors are interested in acquiring Butler.

The Warriors hold a 22-23 record, and are the No. 11 seed in the West. When the Butler trade saga began, the Warriors were one of his preferred destinations along with the Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns. Many in league circles believed the Heat would ask for multiple players in return. One of those players is Jonathan Kuminga, who the Warriors have removed from trade discussions.

Another player that could reportedly be on the move is Andrew Wiggins. His $26 million contract is the second most expensive on their roster. Butler is making $48 million this season so there would need a lot more work to be done on the salary fronts for a deal to go through.

This season, Butler is averaging 17 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.8 assists while shooting a career-high 54 percent from the field. Even at his age, Butler is still one of the better players in the NBA.

The Warriors made a big trade earlier this season, acquiring guard Dennis Schroder from the Brooklyn Nets. With the addition of Schroder along with potentially acquiring Butler, the Warriors could turn into legitimate contenders.

HEAT SLIP IN POWER RANKINGS

Amid the ongoing Jimmy Butler trade saga, the Miami Heat continue to sit with a record hovering around .500.

This week, the Heat are at the No. 16 spot in the latest edition of the NBA power rankings. Last week, they were No. 15.

Butler was suspended last week for two games as his trade situation continues to loom over the team. One bright spot throughout the Heat's unimpressive week was the performance of rookie Kel'el Ware.

"Rookie Kelโ€™el Ware is now in the starting lineup, though heโ€™s still played just 59 total minutes alongside Bam Adebayo," NBA.com's John Schuhmann wrote. "Ware had two more 20-point games last week (heโ€™s one of five rookies with at least four), but the offense has been ugly on both ends of the floor (94.5 combined points per 100 possessions) in those double-big minutes.

The offense has been inefficent over the last few games for the Miami Heat.

Schuhmann added, "The Heat have scored just 105.7 points per 100 possessions over the 12 games that Butler has missed since Christmas. Their 29-point loss in Milwaukee on Thursday marked the fourth time theyโ€™ve been held under a point per possession over that stretch. Theyโ€™re 6-6 in those 12 games, but only the Magic, Nets, Wizards and Hornets have been worse offensively since Christmas."

With their 22-22 record, the Heat are the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. They reside half a game ahead of the Atlanta Hawks, while also sitting half a game back from the No. 7 seed Orlando Magic.

This week, the Heat play three games. The team embarks on a two-game home stretch starting with the Magic on Monday before facing off against the No. 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. Then, they travel on Saturday to San Antonio for a matchup against the Spurs to conclude their week.

Sean Jordan is a contributor to Miami Heat On Sports Illustrated. He can be reached at sjorda06@syr.edu.

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