Why Miami barely bothered with Tyler Hero’s contract extension talks

How it looked I doubt Miami Heat star Tyler Herro didn’t get a contract extension the deadline officially expired this month, meaning both sides can return to negotiations in the offseason. With The Heat are without Herro to start the season as he deals with an ankle/foot injury, here’s why the team decided not to go for an extension right now.

The deal deadline was Monday at midnight, which could have been as high as $149.7 million. but the team reportedly wanted to see as Hero can build on his career-best year last season, according to The Miami Herald. Since Hero earned his first All-Star nod, he averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting 47.2 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from the arc.

“Monday’s 11:59 p.m. deadline for Herro to sign an extension with the Heat this year has passed without the two sides reaching an agreement, a league source told the Miami Herald,” wrote Anthony Chang. “After Hero had the best season of his NBA career last season, the Heat want to see how he can follow that up in the coming months. According to a source, the Heat and Herro’s front office have been in talks, but the Heat have not made a firm offer as of last Friday.”

Hero has two years left on his current contract, so any extension would come through the 2027-28 season, but while Miami is saving money now, the star guard could be eligible for a contract worth up to $206.9 million starting July 1, 2026. However, it could be as high as five years, at $380 million, if he is selected for the supermax contract with the All-BA team.

Heat’s Tyler Hero plays down the importance of a contract extension

While it is The Heat have had problems with contract extensions in the pastas was the problem with star Jimmy Butler before he was traded to the Golden State Warriors, Hero downplayed one of them. He would say it’s important to get him, but admitted it’s not a “top priority” and even poked fun at the Butler situation, saying he won’t lose his “joy.”

“But I want to say that it’s not a top priority, and I’m not going to disrupt this season whether I get an extension or not. I’m not going to lose my joy,” Hero said on Sept. 29, via the Miami Herald. “I’m not going to lose my joy. I’m excited to play.”

“After all, I have two years on my contract,” Hero continued. “And if we don’t do something, I’m not going to be a problem in the whole organization. I’m happy to be here, at the end of the day, and there’s two years left. I’d like to do something, like I said, but we’ll see what happens.”

Either way, Hero is still on the mend as Miami will be without him to open the season on Wednesday against the Orlando Magic.