Heat guard Tyler Herro is undergoing surgery on his left foot and will miss the start of the 2025-26 season, per multiple reports.
The procedure, first noted by Shams Charania of ESPN, addresses a lingering ankle and foot issue that bothered Herro throughout the summer. The 25-year-old tried platelet-rich plasma and cortisone injections, but the discomfort persisted.
Doctors determined surgery was necessary to prevent long-term damage, according to Anthony Chiang of The Miami Herald.
A timetable hasn’t been set, but sources told Chiang that Herro isn’t expected to be out for the entire season.
Herro is coming off the best year of his career and his first All-Star appearance. He averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 assists and 5.2 rebounds in 77 games, shooting 47.2% from the field, 37.5% from three and 87.8% at the line.
Miami’s offense also took a major dip without him, producing 8.6 fewer points per possession when he was on the bench.
The Heat will now lean on Norman Powell, acquired in a summer trade with the Clippers, to help replace Herro’s scoring. Powell is also coming off a career-best season, averaging 21.8 points while shooting 48.4% overall and 41.8% from deep.
The timing isn’t ideal. Six of Miami’s first eight games come on the road, with 11 of its first 15 matchups against playoff teams.
Herro’s injury also complicates contract matters. Beginning October 1, he’ll be eligible to tack on a three-year, $149.7 million extension to the two years left on his deal.
If no agreement is reached by October 20, the extension window closes until next summer, when he could be eligible for up to $206.9 million over four years, or even a $380 million supermax if he makes All-NBA.
Team president Pat Riley suggested in May that an extension may not happen right away.
“Pay me now or pay me later, whatever it is,” Riley said. “We’ve already talked about it. I talked about it with Tyler, and so we’ll see what happens as we plan. The numbers are getting pretty big for a lot of guys. Max salaries in this league, who do they go to? I mean, who do they go to and who is really?
“If you’re going to make $70 million a year, who are those five or 10 guys that deserve that? But Tyler definitely is deserving of the thought of an extension. But are we going to do it? We haven’t committed to it, but we’re going to discuss it and I’ve already talked to him about it. He’s cool.”
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