TITLE: Heat Face Tight Window on Tyler Herro Extension as Decisions Loom for Jovic and Powell
SLUG: heat-weigh-extensions-herro-jovic-powell
CONTENT:
The Miami Heat enter their first complete season without Jimmy Butler balancing competitiveness and cap planning, and contract talks with three key players now headline the agenda.
Herro’s deadline arrives quickly
Guard Tyler Herro becomes eligible for a new deal Wednesday, and the team has until Oct. 20 to lock him in. If no agreement is reached, the 24-year-old will hit unrestricted free agency next summer. Herro earned his first All-Star berth last season, averaging a career-best 23.9 points and 5.5 assists while appearing in 77 games. A full-max offer would total three years and $149.8 million.
Miami has long viewed Bam Adebayo as its primary building block, and league sources indicate the front office is hesitant to meet Herro’s maximum figure. Unless the guard scales back his ask, negotiations are expected to stall until free agency, when both sides could revisit a deal.
Mid-level range considered for Jovic
Forward Nikola Jovic is also extension-eligible, though his price point should be lower. A pact around $50-60 million over four years—roughly mid-level money—would give the 22-year-old security while protecting the Heat from a potentially costlier restricted-free-agent process. If Jovic develops into a fifth starter or a primary reserve, such a salary could prove team-friendly.
Powell’s outlook tied to roster moves
The club acquired veteran guard Norman Powell in the Kevin Love–Kyle Anderson trade earlier in the offseason, but an immediate extension appears unlikely. Miami aims to preserve cap space for the summer of 2026, and the fit alongside Herro is uncertain if both end up starting. Granting Powell a new contract without resolving Herro’s situation could also create locker-room tension.
Team officials may revisit Powell’s status if he thrives while Herro recovers from recent ankle surgery. A strong start could boost the 32-year-old’s chances of securing a longer stay in South Florida.
For now, the Heat’s front office must navigate a narrow Herro timetable, gauge Jovic’s market value, and monitor Powell’s performance—all while keeping future flexibility intact.
Source: HoopsRumors
