Barry Jackson Doubles Down: Miami Heat Was Right to Keep Tyler Herro Over Donovan Mitchell
In the world of NBA trade speculation, hindsight is often 20/20, but Miami Heat insider Barry Jackson has remained consistent in his stance: Tyler Herro was too valuable to sacrifice for Donovan Mitchell. As Jackson recently reiterated, the decision to keep Herro — rather than trading him and multiple first-round picks for Mitchell — was not only logical but strategically sound.
The numbers paint a compelling picture. This past season, Tyler Herro averaged more rebounds, more assists, and shot more efficiently than Mitchell. While both players posted nearly identical scoring averages of 24 points per game, Herro’s all-around impact as a playmaker and rebounder stood out. His development as a multi-dimensional guard gave Miami a versatile weapon, capable of both creating for teammates and scoring at a high level.
Critics of the decision often point to Mitchell’s reputation as a playoff performer. His ability to elevate his game on the big stage is undeniable. Yet, as Jackson emphasizes, those playoff heroics have yet to translate into a Finals appearance, let alone a championship. In the NBA, individual excellence must eventually lead to team success to be truly meaningful.
By choosing to keep Herro, Miami retained a young star with room to grow while maintaining flexibility in future trade discussions. Shipping him out for Mitchell would have required not only Herro’s talent but also a cache of first-round picks, severely limiting the Heat’s ability to improve down the line.
Barry Jackson’s stance is a reminder that not every blockbuster trade is a wise one. In Herro, Miami has a player whose best years are still ahead — and one who could be pivotal to the Heat’s championship aspirations.
