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Bucks' Giannis dilemma could quickly become Tyler Herro headache

Taking back Herro in a Giannis trade with Miami would also mean taking on his injuries and poor defense.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro reacts against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center on Mar 6, 2026.
Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro reacts against the Charlotte Hornets at the Spectrum Center on Mar 6, 2026. | Sam Sharpe-Imagn Images

Miami remains at the head of the Giannis Antetokounmpo race, but for the Milwaukee Bucks, doing a deal with the Heat would likely mean taking back Tyler Herro for salary-matching purposes. Herro is a fine player, and on the right roster a very good one. He also can't stay healthy and doesn't defend a lick.

As much as the Giannis saga is making every Bucks fan's head hurt, they'll only inherit a separate problem if Herro arrives in Milwaukee.

Herro would burden Bucks with injuries and poor defense

Giannis has had his own fair share of injury woes. He played a career-low 36 games last year. Well, Herro appeared in only 33. Three seasons ago, injuries held him to 42 games. 

Last month, he required a reparative procedure on his right foot. Before the season, he had surgery on his left foot. While Giannis gets somewhat of a pass for being, at worst, a top-five player in the league, Herro is not that caliber of player even when healthy. His nagging injuries are becoming a nuisance Miami would be glad to transfer to the Bucks. 

On top of those concerns, Herro is not a good defender. Milwaukee fans have had about enough of guards who don't defend. A lack of two-way stamina from Damian Lillard helped doom that iteration of the Bucks' roster. We just got done watching Cole Anthony, Mark Sears, and Cam Thomas get put in a blender last season.

Herro's offense is worlds above what any of the aforementioned can offer, but the prototype of the score-first, defensively challenged guard is already dying out unless your name is Jalen Brunson. 

Moving Herro could be more difficult than desired

Because of the finances, absorbing Herro in a Giannis deal is the only realistic way it happens. Before he ever sets foot in his native state, though, the Bucks could look to re-reoute him for whatever assets can be had.

Problem is, the same drawbacks that make him an unappealing fit in Milwaukee will make him harder to move, too. Teams won't pony up draft capital for a one-sided, injury-prone guard. The fact that Herro has only one year left on his deal might help attract more suitors. At the same time, knowing he can walk away a season from now will limit the return of assets. 

Rather than flip Herro for peanuts, the Bucks would be better off keeping him around for his production and to mentor youngsters like Ryan Rollins. Herro himself is only 26, of course, and not regarded as necessarily mature, so the viability of that last part is debatable. 

Trade or keep him, the Bucks will have a dilemma on their hands if Herro comes back from Miami.

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