Do the Heat Need a Plus-One Beyond Herro as a Bucket-Getter?
The Miami Heat have long been defined by grit, defense, and a culture of toughness. But as the NBA continues to evolve into an offensive arms race, the question lingers: Is Tyler Herro enough as Miami’s primary bucket-getter beyond Jimmy Butler? Or do the Heat need to find another dynamic scorer to contend with the league’s elite?
Herro, now entering his sixth season, has grown into a reliable offensive weapon. In 2024-25, he averaged 21.4 points per game, shooting 39% from three and often shouldering the scoring load when Butler rested or missed time. He’s confident, capable, and a proven shot-creator. But while Herro is an essential piece of Miami’s offense, there’s mounting evidence that he alone isn’t enough as the secondary scorer behind Butler — especially come playoff time.
In recent postseason runs, the Heat have struggled when defenses keyed in on Butler and forced others to beat them. Herro’s efficiency and availability have fluctuated in high-stakes moments, and while Bam Adebayo contributes offensively, his game is more complementary than explosive. Miami needs a consistent, high-level perimeter scorer who can get a bucket in crunch time — particularly when defenses lock in.
This became even more apparent during the 2025 playoffs, when teams like Boston and Milwaukee rolled out multiple 20+ point scorers, while Miami leaned heavily on isolation from Butler or jumpers from Herro. A lack of shot creation off the bench and the absence of a third consistent scoring threat hurt the Heat in half-court sets.
With Butler aging and his health becoming a concern, the need for another elite scorer — a true “plus-one” to Herro — becomes more urgent. Miami has explored options via trade and free agency in recent years but has yet to land that missing piece. Whether it’s a dynamic wing like Donovan Mitchell or a scoring guard off the bench, the Heat must explore every avenue.
The Heat culture is built on defense and accountability, but in today’s NBA, scoring wins championships. If Miami wants to make another serious title run, Herro can’t be their only option outside of Butler. A new offensive spark — someone who can score 20 on any given night — may be the final piece to complete the Heat’s championship puzzle.
