The imminent return of Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro raises questions about the team’s lineup dynamics. While Coach Erik Spoelstra has the option to insert Herro into the starting lineup, potentially moving Duncan Robinson to the bench, the decision is not as straightforward for the team’s rotation.
Herro, who has previously served as a sixth man for the Heat in his first three NBA seasons, only becoming a regular starter last season, could find himself in a similar role upon his return from an ankle injury sidelining him since early November.
In a recent mailbag, Heat insider Ira Winderman addressed the possibility of Herro resuming a bench role. Drawing a parallel with the situation of Austin Reaves with the Lakers, Winderman acknowledged that while all options are considered, the difference in draft status and experience might influence Herro’s stance. Winderman noted, “Tyler likely believes he has moved beyond bench consideration.”
Spoelstra has a challenging decision to make, given the team’s success in Herro’s absence, particularly with Duncan Robinson excelling as a starter. Robinson’s synergy with star wing Jimmy Butler has been praised by Spoelstra, and the statistics reflect his impact, averaging 16.4 points with 46.2% 3-point shooting as a starter, compared to 11.4 points with 37.7% shooting as a reserve.
However, the situation is delicate, considering Herro’s discontent with trade rumors during the summer, which could influence how his return is managed. The potential ego bruising from trade talks and perceived lack of interest from other NBA teams may prompt a cautious approach in handling Herro’s role upon his return. In this context, it might be more feasible to reinstate Robinson into his expected bench role for the sake of team chemistry and stability.
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