The NBA announced its 2024–25 All-NBA Teams this week, and for the first time since 2019, the Miami Heat did not have a single player named to any of the three squads. While the omission may not come as a complete shock to those who followed the team’s uneven regular season, it nevertheless marks a symbolic moment for a franchise long associated with individual excellence and postseason accolades.
Perhaps most notably, Tyler Herro — Miami’s high-scoring guard and former Sixth Man of the Year — missed out on an All-NBA selection, thereby forfeiting a potential contract bonus tied to such honors. According to league sources, Herro stood to earn an additional $2.5 million had he made one of the three teams.
A Season of Struggles and Inconsistency
The 2024–25 campaign was a challenging one for the Heat. After a promising start, injuries, inconsistent rotations, and offensive inefficiency plagued the team throughout the season. Jimmy Butler, Miami’s perennial All-NBA candidate, missed significant time due to knee issues and never quite regained the dominant two-way form that earned him second-team honors just a year ago.
Bam Adebayo, often lauded for his elite defensive versatility and offensive improvement, also fell short in the eyes of voters. Despite averaging 19.8 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 3.6 assists per game, Adebayo was outshone statistically by a deep pool of frontcourt stars in a season that saw breakout performances from players like Paolo Banchero, Victor Wembanyama, and Domantas Sabonis.
Herro, meanwhile, turned in a solid season, averaging 20.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.2 assists per game while shooting 38% from three-point range. While those numbers are impressive on paper, they didn’t translate into an All-NBA-caliber campaign — especially given the team’s 42–40 record and eighth-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Implications for the Heat
The absence of All-NBA recognition is more than just a reputational blow for the Heat; it has ripple effects for the organization’s salary cap and future roster decisions. Had Herro made an All-NBA team, it would have triggered an incentive clause in his four-year, $120 million contract extension signed in 2022. Missing out on that bonus not only affects Herro personally but gives the Heat a minor bit of financial flexibility heading into what could be a pivotal offseason.
Team president Pat Riley and head coach Erik Spoelstra now face serious questions about the Heat’s long-term direction. With Butler turning 36 before next season and Adebayo nearing his prime, the window to compete at a high level remains narrow. The lack of All-NBA recognition could signal a shift — or at least a call for one — in how the front office evaluates its current core.
A Look Around the League
The 2024–25 All-NBA teams featured several young stars and emerging talents, underscoring the league’s shifting landscape. The first team included Luka Dončić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jayson Tatum, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokić — a group that has largely dominated All-NBA voting in recent years. Absent from the list were established veterans like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Stephen Curry, pointing to a generational transition.
In this context, the Heat’s absence becomes even more glaring. Once a fixture in postseason award discussions, Miami now finds itself on the outside looking in. The question isn’t just whether current players like Butler, Herro, or Adebayo can reclaim elite status, but whether new blood will emerge to carry the franchise forward.
Herro’s Future and Trade Speculation
Herro’s absence from the All-NBA list might not only cost him a bonus—it may cost him his spot on the roster. His name has frequently surfaced in trade rumors, and the Heat’s need to recalibrate their offensive identity could lead to difficult decisions. Despite his scoring prowess, Herro’s defense remains a liability in certain matchups, and his fit alongside Butler and Adebayo has long been debated.
Should the Heat pursue a trade for a star guard or wing this offseason, Herro’s contract and scoring ability make him a natural candidate to be moved. The lack of an All-NBA bonus slightly reduces his salary hit, which might make him more attractive to potential trade partners.
What Comes Next for Miami?
Missing out on individual awards won’t define Miami’s future, but it is a barometer of where the franchise stands in the eyes of the league. Spoelstra remains one of the most respected coaches in basketball, and Riley’s front office has a proven track record of building contenders. But with no players recognized among the league’s top 15 this season, it’s clear the Heat are no longer among the NBA’s elite—at least for now.
This offseason will be crucial. With Butler eligible for an extension, Adebayo likely seeking a leadership role, and Herro’s long-term fit uncertain, the Heat must decide whether to double down on their current core or pivot toward a new era.
In either case, the message from the league is clear: individual excellence and team success are closely tied. If Miami wants to return to the spotlight—both in the standings and on the awards stage—it will take more than just culture. It will take change.
