Tyler Herro has been a valuable piece in the Miami Heat’s plans, even establishing himself as a franchise player alongside star big man Bam Adebayo. When considering his rise to stardom, evidence suggests that Herro would demand a significant hike in salary in his next extension as well.
On this note, Heat insider Greg Sylvander suggested that the guard would be seeking a contract worth $42 million annually. But he did so while using another NBA player as the baseline. He posted:
“With ‘never been an All-Star & probably won’t ever be an All-Star,’ Mikal Bridges getting 4 years, $150 million, you can bet Tyler Herro, if he has back-to-back seasons at heightened efficiency, is going to ask for well north of that salary. I expect he will want $41-$42 million per year at least.”
Sylvander makes an interesting comparison to Mikal Bridges’ recent contract extension with the New York Knicks. While Bridges has no All-Star selections, he has earned an All-Defensive team selection, a valuable accolade in its own right.
But when considering consistency and output, it is evident that Herro has significantly more star power, along with better averages. If Bridges’ contract is to be considered as the baseline, the 25-year-old would be within his rights to demand at least something in the same range, if not higher.
But would he still be undervalued at $42 million per year?
Last season, the Heat guard took a step in the right direction. With Jimmy Butler sitting out, Herro embraced a more prominent role as the first option for scoring.
In doing so, he recorded an average of 23.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.5 assists, while shooting 47.2% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. His performances last season generated a lot of attention, even earning him his first All-Star appearance.
When considering the way Miami is structured, it is evident that Herro is the team’s offensive anchor. As a gifted three-level scorer and reliable playmaker, the 25-year-old has the potential to be a perennial All-Star for the Heat.
Although Sylvander uses Bridges as a baseline, this may be the wrong approach. Herro is on par with some star-caliber players in the league. When considering the value of those contracts, it is fair to assume that he would consider himself deserving of something similar.
A $42 million annual salary may not be undervaluing him, especially considering that he is still on the brink of cementing his position as a perennial All-Star. If anything, the upcoming seasons are an opportunity for the guard to showcase why he could be worth even more.
Herro will be eligible for an extension after the 2026–27 season, giving him two more years to prove his value. Given Miami’s offseason deals, the 25-year-old will have an opportunity to showcase his leadership as well.
