Tyler Herro had to adjust to more attention from opposing defenses after the Heat suspended and ultimately traded Jimmy Butler, writes Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald. Herro estimated that Butler was creating three to five open three-point opportunities for him every game. With those gone, Herro responded by attacking the basket more often and taking more mid-range shots. The results have been positive as he averaged 27.4 points and 4.9 assists over the final 12 regular season games and 34 points and 5.5 assists in the two play-in contests.
“So just finding different ways to be aggressive,” Herro said. “I’m not going to get the same shots every game with just the way guys are guarding me. But I got to find different ways to be efficient. Also, context of games, knowing when to shoot the pull-up two, which I think I’m doing pretty well.”
After years of being included in trade rumors, Herro now seems like part of the foundation in Miami, which will lead to an important decision this offseason. Chiang notes that beginning October 1, he’ll be eligible for a three-year, $149.7MM extension. If there’s no agreement by October 20, he can wait for a four-year, $206.9MM extension next summer, which could become a supermax estimated at $380MM over five years if he earns All-NBA honors next season.
“It’s something I haven’t paid much attention to, obviously,” Herro said. “I’m going to let my agent and the organization figure that out. But everyone knows I want to be here long term and I’m definitely excited to see what they have to say for the extension, and see if they want me here as much as I want to be here.”
There’s more on the Heat:
- Reserves Davion Mitchell and Haywood Highsmith played key roles in closing out Friday’s win at Atlanta, Chiang adds in a separate story. They were on the court together for 36 minutes, including all but 19 seconds of the fourth quarter and overtime. “They’re being stars in their role and that’s what we need them to do,” Bam Adebayo said. “Obviously, you see Davion’s offense, making shots, and H’s offense. But the little things that they do throughout the game, that’s what really gets us going, that’s what really gets the group together and getting in a rhythm.”
- A week ago, Jaime Jaquez p0ured in a career-high 41 points in Miami’s regular season finale, but he was back on the bench for the two play-in games, notes Ira Winderman of The Sun-Sentinel. It’s been a frustrating season for the second-year small forward, who had a regular rotation role as a rookie, but he’s trying to stay ready in case he’s needed in the playoffs while working on his shot with shooting coach Rob Fodor. “We get up a lot of shots,” Jaquez said. “I think one of the things with me is technique, my hand placement, getting my elbow where it needs to be, and my release, just get it out early. Those are the kinds of the things we talk about frequently.”
- Pelle Larsson and Nikola Jovic have both fully recovered from their injuries and are available today without restrictions, Winderman tweets.