• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 16, 2025

Tyler Herro Is Miami Heat’s $4M X-Factor

  • Despite earning only $4 million this season, Tyler Herro has played his way into a huge contract extension.
  • The Sixth Man of the Year scored the most points for Miami in the regular season (1,367) and averaged the second-most PPG (20.7).
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

It isn’t often that a team’s most important player comes off the bench, but Miami’s Tyler Herro is challenging that wisdom with his game-changing heroics. 

On Wednesday, this season’s Sixth Man of the Year finished with 18 points and seven rebounds against the 76ers, leading a Heat bench that outscored Philly’s 52-19 on the way to a 2-0 series advantage.

Herro, who’s earning only $4 million this year — the seventh-highest-paid player on a Miami squad with a $140.8 million payroll — rode a landslide to become the second-youngest player to win 6MOTY. 

  • Herro scored the most points for Miami in the regular season (1,367) and averaged the second-most PPG (20.7).
  • His bench unit led the NBA in PPG (40.5) and is second behind the Warriors (43.1) in the postseason.
  • In Game 1, he became the first in Heat postseason history to score 25 points and with five assists off the bench.

The 22-year-old’s contract provides some breathing room for a Miami team with $133 million already on the books next season — he’s owed a mere $5.7 million next season, and the Heat can wait until 2023 to offer him a five-year, $184 million rookie max extension.

With Joel Embiid uncertain to play in Friday’s Game 3 in Philly, the Heat have a chance to go up 3-0 and make the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in three seasons.

History’s on their side: The Heat are 16-0 when up 2-0 in a best-of-seven series, while the Sixers are 0-13 when trailing 2-0. Miami is the third-favorite (+475) to win the title.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Featured Today

Jun 1996; Seattle, WA USA; FILE PHOTO; Seattle Supersonics guard Gary Payton (20) lays the ball up against the Chicago Bulls during the 1996 NBA Finals at Key Arena.

5,000 Pieces of Thunder History Are Hidden in Seattle

Sonics championship banners, trophies, and retired jerseys are all in one place.
Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs (2) returns an interception during the second half of the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal game against the Texas Longhorns at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Jan. 10, 2025. Ohio State won 28-14.
May 15, 2025

House v. NCAA Settlement to Pay College Athletes: All Your Questions Answered

The yearslong lawsuit over player compensation is in the home stretch.
Hillary Trochek/Statement Threads Shop
May 14, 2025

How Custom Stanley Cup Playoffs WAGs Jackets Come Together

The process behind custom postseason jackets is meticulous—and aspirational.
Gracelyn Laudermilch
May 14, 2025

The House Settlement Has Thrown High School Athletes Into Crisis

FOS spoke to an athlete devastated by House settlement roster cuts.
Brock Purdy
breaking

Brock Purdy, 49ers Agree to Deal With $181 Million Guaranteed

Purdy and the 49ers have their long-awaited extension.
Charles Woodson
May 15, 2025

Charles Woodson Has to Take Name Off Booze for New Browns Stake

Woodson will have to tweak the promotion of Woodson’s Intercept Wines.
May 16, 2025

Lewis Hamilton Admits Early Days With Ferrari Have Been ‘Tough’

Hamilton sits at seventh in the drivers’ championship.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In the latest Portfolio Players—our series spotlighting athlete and executive investors—Carolyn Tisch Blodgett, owner of Gotham FC & advisor to the New York Giants, breaks down how sports, brand, and capital are reshaping fandom and the business of women’s sports.
Apr 29, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) dribbles the ball while Indiana Pacers forward Jarace Walker (5) defends during game five of the first round for the 2024 NBA Playoffs at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.
May 12, 2025

Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘Open-Minded’ to Leaving Bucks: Report

The Bucks star has spent his entire 12-year career with the organization.
May 11, 2025

Cooper Flagg Could Deliver NBA’s Next Ratings Surge to Lottery Winner

Flagg could have a similar effect as Victor Wembanyama.
May 10, 2025

Derek Carr Retires With Nearly $200M in NFL Earnings

The 11-year NFL quarterback stunned social media with his unexpected retirement.
May 9, 2025

Paige Bueckers Dispels Doubts, Praises Dallas Wings Organization

The Wings selected Bueckers with the No. 1 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft.