The Miami Heat have been at the center of trade rumors all offseason, with Tyler Herro’s name frequently popping up as a potential trade chip. After falling short in the playoffs, the Heat are exploring options to retool their roster, and Herro could be the key to bringing in new talent. On the other side, the San Antonio Spurs are poised to make a significant leap this season, especially with Victor Wembanyama leading the charge. Adding a dynamic scorer like Herro could give the Spurs the firepower they need to compete in the loaded Western Conference. This mock trade deal could be a win-win for both teams, setting the stage for an exciting 2024-25 season.
Trade Proposal
San Antonio Spurs receive: Tyler Herro
Miami Heat receive: Keldon Johnson, Tre Jones, 2025 first-round pick (via Bulls)
In this mock trade, the San Antonio Spurs receive Tyler Herro, a dynamic scorer who can immediately boost their offensive firepower. Herro’s ability to create his own shot and stretch the floor makes him an ideal fit alongside Victor Wembanyama, giving the Spurs a potent one-two punch.
In return, the Miami Heat acquire Keldon Johnson, a versatile forward who brings toughness and scoring, along with Tre Jones, a solid playmaker. The 2025 first-round pick via the Bulls adds future value, helping the Heat retool their roster for another title push.
The Heat Need To Find Better-Fitting Pieces
Tyler Herro is undeniably a gifted scorer, but for the Miami Heat, it’s becoming increasingly clear that his skill set may not be the best fit for their current roster. The Heat have long struggled with the absence of a true point guard, someone who can effectively orchestrate the offense and take the pressure off their primary stars like Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo. With the recent addition of Terry Rozier, Miami already has a combo guard with a scoring-first mentality, much like Herro. This redundancy makes it more logical for the team to explore moving Herro in favor of players who can fill the gaps that are holding them back from being a serious contender.
One of the biggest needs for the Heat is a power forward who can stretch the floor and provide solid defense, complementing Bam Adebayo’s strengths in the paint. Keldon Johnson, who averaged 15.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game with the Spurs in 2024, could be exactly what Miami needs. Johnson’s versatility on both ends of the floor makes him an ideal candidate to slide into that power forward role, offering the Heat much-needed toughness and the ability to guard multiple positions. His ability to hit the occasional three-pointer also helps to space the floor, making life easier for Butler and Adebayo inside.
Tre Jones, who averaged 10.0 points, 6.2 assists, and 3.8 rebounds last season, brings another dimension that Miami desperately needs—a true point guard who can set up the offense and create opportunities for others. Jones is still young and has plenty of room to grow, which makes him a valuable asset for the Heat as they look to build a sustainable future. Having Jones as the primary playmaker would allow Rozier to focus more on scoring, while also giving Butler the chance to operate off the ball more effectively.
With Johnson and Jones in the lineup, the Heat could roll out a starting five that looks like this: Tre Jones at point guard, Terry Rozier as the shooting guard, Jimmy Butler at small forward, Keldon Johnson as the power forward, and Bam Adebayo anchoring the center position. This lineup not only addresses the Heat’s need for a true point guard and a versatile power forward, but it also balances scoring, playmaking, and defense. Off the bench, Miami can rely on Jaime Jaquez Jr. as a sixth man to provide an offensive spark, while Nikola Jovic continues to develop his game as a versatile forward. The rookie center, Ware, along with other young players, offers the Heat a promising future.
Moreover, this trade would also provide the Heat with a valuable 2025 first-round pick via the Bulls, a team that’s currently in a rebuilding phase. If Butler decides to leave in free agency, which remains a possibility given the uncertainty around his contract extension talks, the Heat would be left with a young, promising core and a potentially high draft pick to continue their rebuild. This move gives Miami both the immediate upgrades they need to stay competitive in the short term and the flexibility to build for the future.
The Spurs May Be A Real Contender After This Move
The San Antonio Spurs have been making quiet but significant moves this offseason, positioning themselves to potentially become a serious playoff contender. After the Golden State Warriors cut ties with Chris Paul, the Spurs quickly swooped in to sign the veteran point guard. Paul, known for his leadership and playmaking, brings a wealth of experience to a young Spurs team that’s eager to make some noise in the Western Conference. But the addition of Paul was just the beginning.
To further bolster their roster, the Spurs pulled off a sign-and-trade deal that sent DeMar DeRozan to the Sacramento Kings, bringing in Harrison Barnes to fill the void at the forward position. Barnes, a seasoned forward with championship experience, is the perfect replacement for Keldon Johnson, who is on his way to Miami in this hypothetical trade for Tyler Herro. Barnes’ ability to stretch the floor and play solid defense will complement the Spurs’ new-look lineup, especially when paired with the talents of Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama.
Bringing in Tyler Herro, who averaged 20.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists in just 42 games last season, could be the final piece of the puzzle for the Spurs. Herro’s ability to score from all three levels makes him a valuable asset, especially alongside a playmaker like Chris Paul. In Miami, Herro was a key player, but his high salary and the Heat’s need for better-fitting pieces made him expendable. For the Spurs, however, Herro’s scoring prowess is exactly what they need to elevate their offense to a new level.
With a starting lineup of Chris Paul, Tyler Herro, Devin Vassell, Harrison Barnes, and Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs suddenly look like a team that could not only make the playoffs but potentially make a deep run in the postseason. Vassell, an emerging young star, provides defensive intensity and shooting, while Wembanyama, the highly-touted rookie, offers a unique combination of size, skill, and versatility. Adding Herro to this mix gives San Antonio a legitimate scoring threat who can take over games when needed.
Financially, this move makes sense for the Spurs as well. While they would be taking on Herro’s hefty contract, they’d also be shedding the $20 million owed to Keldon Johnson. Additionally, both Chris Paul and Harrison Barnes are on expiring deals in consecutive years, giving the Spurs significant financial flexibility in 2025 and 2026. This flexibility is crucial, as it allows the Spurs to remain competitive now while keeping their options open for future moves. If the team finds success with this new core, they could choose to re-sign Paul and Barnes, or they could pivot and use their cap space to pursue other stars.
In summary, acquiring Tyler Herro could be the move that pushes the Spurs from being a young team with potential to a legitimate playoff contender. With a balanced mix of veteran leadership and youthful talent, San Antonio would have the firepower to compete with the best in the West, making them a team to watch in the 2024-25 season.
