Anonymous East excecutive slams Tyler Herro: 'No one wants him'

Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro had the worst year of his career in 2025-26. And while the 6-foot-5 guard has been the center of trade rumors since his rookie season, there are breadcrumbs to suggest that last season may have been his last with the Miami Heat.

Even though he’s set to be a $33 million expiring contract this summer, there are reasonable concerns about the Heat’s ability to move them. One anonymous East executive explained why to Heavy On Sports’ Sean Deveney.

“We used to love expiring contracts because you could clear your books and get into free agency, but now, free agency is dead, and you need to keep salary slots alive to make trades,” the executive said. “So, before, no one wanted to trade for Tyler Herro because of his contract was too big and no one trusted his style of play, he is a defensive liability, all of that. Now, no one wants him because of the injuries and because the contract is expiring and because he is a little bit disgruntled and all of that.”

The idea to trade Tyler Herro is easier said than done:

Herro, who appeared in a career-low 33 games last season, underwent minor offseason foot surgery earlier this month. He didn’t fit into the Heat’s new offense, nor did he fit alongside guard Norman Powell, whose skill set is duplicative of his own. Herro averaged 20.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.1 assists on 48.0 percent shooting and 37.8 percent from 3-point range.

Both sides should go their separate ways. However, the prospects of selling low on one of your highest-paid players, even in a contract year, when he’s underperformed in the postseason and whose archetype is no longer valued in the NBA, is easier said than done. Of course, it would likely require them to be willing to take back an undesirable package — relative to how he was viewed even two seasons ago. And if we know anything about the Heat, they’re most urgent when they feel like they can win the deal.

Herro best fits on a potential contender, as a secondary shot creator surrounded by above-average-to-elite defenders. Miami doesn’t fit that criteria. Among the teams that do — with a pressing need for shot creation — include the Detroit Pistons, Minnesota Timberwolves or Houston Rockets, which I detailed here.

3 potential trade partners for this Heat guard

Miami will need Herro’s contract if it wants Giannis Antetokounmpo as a salary filler. We’ll see whether the Heat can deal the 26-year-old guard — be it for Antetokounmpo or something else — or if he will be with the organization for his 8th season, which may do more harm than good for both sides.