With Tyler Herro thought to be on the move, the Miami Heat and San Antonio Spurs could negotiate a deal that benefits both teams.
The Miami Heat have been the subject of trade speculations this offseason, with Tyler Herro’s name constantly mentioned as a potential trade asset. After falling short in the playoffs, the Heat are looking for ways to retool their squad, and Herro could be the key to bringing in new players. On the other hand, the San Antonio Spurs are prepared for a huge improvement coming season, particularly with Victor Wembanyama at the helm. Adding a dynamic scorer like Herro might provide the Spurs with the necessary firepower to compete in the stacked Western Conference. This hypothetical trade transaction might benefit both teams, paving the way for an entertaining 2024-25 season.
San Antonio Spurs receive: Tyler Herro
In this fake deal, the San Antonio Spurs acquire Tyler Herro, a powerful scorer who can immediately increase their offensive potency. Herro’s ability to generate his own shots and spread the floor make him a great complement to Victor Wembanyama, providing the Spurs a formidable one-two punch.
In exchange, the Miami Heat get Keldon Johnson, a versatile forward who adds toughness and scoring, as well as Tre Jones, a reliable playmaker. The Bulls’ 2025 first-round pick adds future value to the Heat’s squad, allowing them to retool for another championship run.
The Heat Need To Find Better-Fitting Pieces
Tyler Herro is an undeniably exceptional scorer, but the Miami Heat are realizing that his skill set may not be a good match for their current squad. The Heat have long battled without a real point guard, someone who can successfully organize the attack and relieve pressure on their major studs, Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. With the recent arrival of Terry Rozier, Miami now possesses a combo guard with a scoring-first attitude, similar to Herro. This redundancy makes it more sensible for the team to consider replacing Herro with players who can cover the voids that are preventing them from becoming a real contender.
One of the Heat’s most pressing requirements is a power forward who can spread the floor and play excellent defense, complementing Bam Adebayo’s abilities in the paint. Keldon Johnson, who averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game for the Spurs in 2024, could be just what Miami needs. Johnson’s flexibility on both sides of the floor makes him an ideal option to fill the power forward role, providing the Heat with much-needed toughness and the ability to guard numerous spots. His ability to knock three-pointers helps to open up the court, making things simpler for Butler and Adebayo inside.
Tre Jones, who averaged 10.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds last season, adds another dimension that Miami urgently needs: a real point guard capable of setting up the offense and creating opportunities for others. Jones is still young and has plenty of room to develop, making him a vital asset to the Heat as they strive to create a long-term future. Having Jones as the primary playmaker would allow Rozier to focus more on scoring while also providing Butler more opportunities to operate off the ball.
With Johnson and Jones in the lineup, the Heat could go with a starting five of Tre Jones at point guard, Terry Rozier at shooting guard, Jimmy Butler at small forward, Keldon Johnson at power forward, and Bam Adebayo at center. This lineup not only meets the Heat’s requirement for a genuine point guard and a dynamic power forward, but it also strikes a balance between scoring, playmaking, and defense. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami’s sixth man, can give an attacking spark off the bench, while Nikola Jovic’s game as a versatile forward is developing. Ware, a rookie center, along with other young players, give the Heat a bright future.
Furthermore, this trade would offer the Heat with a good first-round pick in 2025 from the Bulls, who are currently rebuilding. If Butler decides to depart in free agency, which is still a possibility given the uncertainty surrounding his contract extension talks, the Heat will be left with a young, promising core and a potentially high lottery pick to help them rebuild. This move provides Miami with the rapid renovations required to remain competitive in the short term, as well as the freedom to plan for the future.
The Spurs May Be A Real Contender After This Move
The San Antonio Spurs have made subtle but major adjustments this offseason, setting themselves to be a legitimate postseason contender. After the Golden State Warriors parted ways with Chris Paul, the Spurs moved fast to sign the veteran point guard. Paul, noted for his leadership and playmaking, offers a wealth of experience to a young Spurs squad looking to make an impact in the Western Conference. However, the addition of Paul was only the beginning.
To bolster their squad, the Spurs completed a sign-and-trade deal that sent DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings, bringing in Harrison Barnes to fill the forward position. Barnes, a seasoned forward with championship experience, is an ideal replacement for Keldon Johnson, who is on his way to Miami as part of the potential trade for Tyler Herro. Barnes’ ability to spread the floor and play excellent defense will complement the Spurs’ new-look roster, particularly when combined with the talents of Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama.
Adding Tyler Herro, who averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in 42 games last season, could be the final piece of the Spurs’ puzzle. Herro’s ability to score at all three levels makes him an invaluable asset, particularly when paired with a playmaker like Chris Paul. Herro was a significant player for Miami, but his expensive contract and the Heat’s desire for better-fitting components made him expendable. Herro’s scoring ability, however, is exactly what the Spurs require to take their offense to the next level.
With a starting lineup that includes Chris Paul, Tyler Herro, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs suddenly appear to be a club capable of not just making the playoffs but also making a deep run. Vassell, a developing young star, brings defensive tenacity and shooting, while Wembanyama, a highly anticipated rookie, combines size, skill, and adaptability. Adding Herro to the mix provides San Antonio with a serious scoring threat capable of taking over games when necessary.
Financially, this move also makes sense for the Spurs. While they would take on Herro’s large deal, they would also release the $20 million owing to Keldon Johnson. Furthermore, both Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes’ contracts will expire in consecutive years, giving the Spurs tremendous financial flexibility in 2025 and 2026. This flexibility is critical because it allows the Spurs to remain competitive while also leaving room for future moves. If the team is successful with this new core, it has the option of re-signing Paul and Barnes or pivoting and using its cap space to seek other players.
In conclusion, acquiring Tyler Herro might propel the Spurs from a youthful squad with potential to a serious playoff contender. With a balanced blend of senior leadership and young talent, San Antonio would have the firepower to contend with the best in the West, making them a team to watch in 2024-25.
