Will Miami Heat Remain Contenders With Tyler Herro Instead of Damian Lillard ?

Former Sixth Man of the Year Tyler Herro would have a major impact on the roster if he is not traded for Damian Lillard

If the Miami Heat are unable to acquire Portland Trailblazers All-Star Damian Lillard, the question becomes will they contend next season?

The Heat are expected to trade for Lillard but the deal could fall through due to minor details. If that happens, the Heat turn their hopes to third-leading scorer Tyler Herro because he is likely to remain. 

Last season, he averaged 20.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.2 assists before Herro sustaining an injury against the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 1 of the first round. He did not return for the Heat's run to the NBA Finals. 

While failing to acquire Lillard would weaken Miami’s championship aspirations, they can contend without him. A core centered around Butler, Adebayo and Herro has proven competitive in previous seasons. In the 2020 playoffs, the trio took the Heat to the Finals. They lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers. 

Some feel Herro could prove a key cog in the Heat making another Finals run. Media personality Dan Le Batard went far as saying Herro was a better player than Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey. 

Don't know whether calling Herro a top 75 player or saying he's better than Maxey is the dirtier business but both are gross and LeBatard should be ashamed of this blatant shilling https://t.co/NfSkXSw0Wc

— ComRed Panda (@Framed_Ace) July 17, 2023

“Herro is better than Maxey, he’s just whiter than Maxey,” Le Batard said. “He gets disregarded as a prospect as if he hasn’t been a young dude in his early 20s who’s a 20 point-a-game scorer.”

Before trade speculation began, Heat team president Pat Riley expressed his confidence in the current base. That was before Lillard requested a trade but Riley was comfortable going into next season with Adebayo, Herro and Jimmy Butler. 

“We have a great base with Bam and Tyler, and we have a superstar in Jimmy Butler,” Riley said in June. “He’s a whole different bag of tricks. And we have, who I think, is the best coach. I’m feeling good today, as we work on our next iteration with this team.”

Anthony Pasciolla is a contributor to Inside The Heat. He can be reached at anthonypasciolla36@gmail.com or follow him on Tik Tok @anthonysports_