The Lakers have spent the summer poking around the market for a two-way wing to bolster their title hopes, with Andrew Wiggins surfacing as a top target. Warnings followed that Miami would demand heavy returns, and insiders kept saying the Heat wanted to see how their roster shaped up before moving any pieces. As one source recently put it on September 28, “Right now, the Heat don’t hold much of a desire to trade Wiggins and are operating under the mindset of waiting to see how things play out during the first few months of the regular season”. That posture matters to L.A. because Wiggins was viewed as a direct upgrade on the wing. And now, the timing of another development has only increased Miami’s appetite to stand pat.

Tyler Herro underwent left ankle surgery on Friday, and the Heat now expect him to miss roughly eight weeks to start the 2025 26 season. Herro had just completed a career year that put him in extension talks, and he warned that waiting could raise his price. As he told reporters in May about his future with Miami, “Not the biggest deal, but I would love to be here… If it doesn’t get done in October, then we can get it done next summer. It will just be a little bit higher of a price”. Pat Riley framed the broader money question, saying, “The numbers are getting big for a lot of guys.”

Reports surfacing around training camp make the Los Angeles Lakers’ life harder: Miami plans to evaluate Wiggins as a core piece rather than move him now, and Herro’s absence reinforces that stance. The Heat see Wiggins as a two-way anchor who can help fill the scoring gap while they wait for Herro to return, so trade chatter could cool down quickly now. That realignment of priorities was pointed out by Alex Toledo of Sports Illustrated, “This will put more of a burden on captain Bam Adebayo and small forward Andrew Wiggins, while providing opportunities for some young players, notably Pelle Larsson, who had a strong summer; and perhaps even rookie Kasparas Jakucionis, who doesn’t appear ready but may get more looks now”.

Numbers underline why Miami is holding firm. Herro averaged 23.9 points, 5.5 assists, and 5.2 rebounds last season and finished as an All-Star, so his eight-week absence reduces the Heat’s scoring by a substantial margin to start the year. Wiggins averaged about 19.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists after the trade that brought him to Miami, and he carries a player option worth roughly $30.16 million for 2026 27, which gives Miami roster flexibility. The Heat also added Norman Powell over the summer to help offset scoring losses, and young pieces like Pelle Larsson could see meaningful minutes while Herro recovers.

For the Lakers, this is a blunt setback. Los Angeles has limited tradable first round assets and has been unwilling to meet Miami’s reported asking price, which reportedly included a first round pick like Rui Hachimura and multiple role players like Gabe Vincent and Dalton Knecht. With the Heat leaning into Wiggins and protecting their depth while Herro heals, the Lakers must either wait until the trade deadline or pivot to other targets. The situation also gives Miami breathing room on Herro’s extension timeline, which could push talks into next summer and change the cost calculus for everyone involved. The Heat organization can also be relieved to know Herro’s mindset heading into the season, revealed in his message after the surgery.

Tyler Herro breaks silence on his injury with a bold message

The Heat confirmed the procedure was successful and estimated Herro would miss about eight weeks, a timeline that puts his return around mid-November, and it means he could miss roughly the first 14 games of the regular season. That recovery window grew out of months of conservative care that included platelet-rich plasma and cortisone injections that ultimately failed to quiet the left ankle problem. The team called the surgery a necessary step to avoid further complications and to preserve his long-term availability.

The injury complicates Herro’s extension eligibility, which opened on October 1 with an early extension window stretching through October 20. If Miami delays, Herro could become eligible for a larger contract next summer, a fact that shifts negotiating leverage in either direction depending on how he recovers and performs upon return. The Heat can also evaluate their rotations without committing a big extension while he rehabs. That optionality is a meaningful factor for Pat Riley and the front office as they weigh medium-term payroll decisions.

Herro did not stay silent after surgery. From his hospital bed, he posted a defiant message on social media that cut against any narrative of surrender, writing, “Imma tear the league back down once I get off this weak a– bed.” The post was accompanied by a photo that signaled his confidence in a full bounce back and underlined that his mindset remains competitive even while sidelined. That tone matters to teammates and fans who watched him become the Heat’s primary scorer last season.

On the court, Miami will lean on Bam Adebayo to carry more of the offensive and defensive load early, and Norman Powell plus Davion Mitchell are expected to pick up backcourt minutes while Herro recovers. Young players like Pelle Larsson could see expanded roles, and rookie Kasparas Jakucionis may get looks he otherwise might not have earned this soon. The Heat will hope the mix holds up long enough for Herro to return and for Wiggins and Bam to steady the ship while the front office weighs the best path forward.