As expected, the Heat put wads of cash on the words. This Tuesday, one year from the end of his rookie contract, Tyler Herro took cover by signing a new four-year lease with the Heat. No surprise for the 6th man of the year 2021-22, now installed on South Beach, ready to write the continuation of an excellent incipit. Debrief.
“The Miami Heat today announced Tyler Herro’s contract extension. In accordance with club policy, the terms of the agreement have not been disclosed.”. It is an excerpt from press release from the Florida franchiseobviously unaware thatAdrian Wojnarowski disclosed the terms of the deal an hour before it was released. It will therefore be 130 million over four years for the 6th man of the year 2021-22, who was still living – and will live on it until next summer – on his rookie contract. Already three seasons in his retro, caressed by a constant progression: 14/4/2 at 43% in shooting on the rookie exercise, 15/5/3 at 44% on the sophomore year, 21/5/4 at 45% shooting last season. “His improvement every year since we drafted him has led to this day. We believe he will continue to progress.”, specified Pat Riley, the president of the Heat. We therefore use Tyler Herro for four more years, he who seems to be one of the most rooted players in the Florida franchise project. However, isn’t it reckless to spend $32.5 million a season on a guy who’s not yet “All-Star”? We slide the video of his highlights on the past financial year, while suggesting that you think “versatility”. Can we pay so much for a sniper who comes off the bench, defends little and has – for the moment – not yet detached from his status as the 6th man?
It’s funny to think that a guy like Lou Williams, triple 6th man of the year, has never exceeded 8 million dollars per season. Another triple winner of the statuette, Jamal Crawford rose to $13 million over the 2016-17 financial year. None of the masters in the matter have received even half of what Tyler Herro is regarding to cash. Times are different, salary cap has eased – ceiling increased by 40% compared to the 2016-17 season – but to the point of blindly entrusting the future of a franchise to a player… in position? “Situational player? Anything TrashTalk, redneck writing, Tyler plays over 30 minutes a game! ». That’s not the problem. On the court, the 23-year-old fullback is not able to do everything as one would expect from a player paid more than $30 million a season. He can – and will – still improve, but his profile does not suggest that he will one day be one of the best defenders in the NBA. This is basically not what we are asking of him. This pile of sorrel thus places heavy pressure on the shoulders of Tyler Herro, whom the 13th choice of the 2019 Draft will have to dissipate by going to scratch a second trophy of 6th man of the year and a first selection in the All-Star Game. Can he? Maybe yes, maybe no #analysecommeDjellit.
We just found out why the Heat put so much on Tyler Herro: his 86.8% in free throws last season was the 4th highest percentage in Heat history on regular. That chases away our fears and questions.
