A look at college players being linked to the Miami Heat and who might be a good fit
What will the Heat do with its first-round draft pick, which would be 23rd overall if the NBA regular season doesn’t resume?
A look at what seven mock drafts predict:
▪ ESPN: Mississippi State 6-7 small forward Robert Woodard II, who averaged 11.4 points, 6.5 rebounds and shot 49.5 percent from the field and 42.9 percent on threes (30 for 70).
ESPN’s reasoning: “Already loaded with once-undervalued prospects in Tyler Herro, Bam Adebayo, Duncan Robinson and Kendrick Nunn, the Heat could get another potential value pick in Woodard. At 6-7, 230 pounds with a 7-1 wingspan, huge hands and greatly improved shooting stroke, Woodard would give Erik Spoelstra additional depth at the combo forward spot behind Jae Crowder.”
▪ Bleacher Report: Washington 6-9 power forward Jaden McDaniels, who averaged 13.0 points, 5.8 rebounds and shot 40.5 percent from the field and 33.9 percent on threes in his one college season.
“McDaniels’ impact at Washington didn’t quite match his talent or highlights,” Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman said. “At 6’9”, he possesses a guard’s skill package that includes ball-handling for shot creation, a capable pull-up and three-point range. The question for scouts is whether he’ll execute with enough efficiency for a scorer [40.5 field-goal percentage] who’s unlikely to add value as a playmaker or defender.”
Wasserman has Duke’s Vernon Carey Jr. and Tre Jones still on the board when Miami picks McDaniels.
▪ Tankathon: DePaul 6-9 power forward Paul Reed, who averaged 17.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.9 blocks and 2.1 steals. His three-point shooting percentage dipped from 40.5 to 30.8.
Bleacher Report’s Wasserman: “The only NCAA player with 70 blocks and 50 steals, Reed remains interesting because of his defensive playmaking while his offensive game sputters. His shooting hasn’t taken off the way it appeared it could, but he’s still averaging 14.9 points while showing just enough face-up moves and touch to keep faith alive in his scoring potential.”
Some have Reed going later, potentially in the second round.
Tankathon has Miami taking Reed just ahead of Duke’s Jones and Carey, Colorado small forward Tyler Bey and Maryland power forward Jalen Smith.
▪ NBAdraft.net: FSU swingman Patrick Williams. Averaged 9.2 points, and 4.0 rebounds and shot just 32 percent on threes.
SI.com’s Jeremy Woo: “He’s an extremely appealing project if he comes out, offering some legit versatility on both sides of the floor as a player who can blend lineups, and who offers untapped upside. He won’t be ready to contribute in the NBA next year.”
That website has Miami taking Williams just ahead of the more NBA-ready Aaron Nesmith, the excellent three-point shooting wing from Vanderbilt and Kentucky point guard Immanuel Quickley. But many have Nesmith going much earlier than Miami’s pick and Quickley much later.
▪ NBCSports.com: Williams, offered with this comment: “Erik Spoelstra knows how to mold NBA players into something more. The long-time Heat coach did wonders with Bam Adebajo and Tyler Herro looked good as a rookie.
“This team knows how to get production out of players, and Williams is one of those diamond in the rough type players that always seem to look better in a Heat uniform that any other.”
▪ Slamonline: Point guard Killian Hayes, who was averaging 12.0 points and 5.6 assists per game for Ratiopharm Ulm, a pro team in Germany.The son of an American basketball player, Hayes was born in Lakeland but grew up in France due to his father’s professional career.
ESPN rates him the 10th-best player in this draft class.
ESPN’s Jonathan Givony said: “The 6-foot-5 playmaker was identified early in his career as a top international prospect, winning MVP honors as France won the gold medal at the U16 European Championship in 2017. He also was named MVP of the French U18 league and Jordan Brand Classic international game in New York.
“Hayes had a standout performance at the FIBA U17 World Cup in the summer of 2018, being named to the all-tournament team after guiding France to the championship game, where it lost to the U.S.”
The Heat has steered away from international prospects in the draft this century after a bad experience with Estonian forward Martin Muursepp, who was acquired from Utah with the 26th pick in the 1996 draft and played only 10 games for the Heat and 83 games in the NBA.
But the Heat has indicated it’s not opposed to drafting international players.
▪ CBS Sports: Arizona forward Niko Mannion: The 6-3 point guard averaged 14.0 points and 5.3 assists in his only season with the Wildcats, while shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 32.7 on threes (53 for 162). The shooting needs work.
His ball-handling is good: 169 assists, 82 turnovers.
ESPN’s Givony ranks him 14th among all draft prospects and said: “Mannion’s basketball IQ, deep range and passing creativity should make for a seamless transition to the modern NBA game, despite some concerns about his defensive projection due to his narrow frame. He has good size for a point guard and likely will continue to add bulk since he just turned 19” in March.
Arizona coach Sean Miller said Mannion’s “future as an NBA point guard is very bright. Nico is an exceptional teammate, a very coachable player and a fun person to be around.”
CBS has Miami taking Mannion just ahead of Michigan State power forward Xavier Tillman, Washington forward Isaiah Stewart and Duke’s Carey.
A FEW THOUGHTS
I wouldn’t be surprised if Kentucky’s 6-3 Quickley gets a long look from Miami even though some analysts have him as a second-round pick; he averaged 16.1 points and shot 42.8 percent on threes, and we all know how much the Heat loves Wildcat players. But his ball-handling needs work (1.9 assists, 1.6 turnovers per game last season). Kentucky shooting guard Tyrese Maxey is expected to be gone by the mid teens....
Maryland’s Jalen Smith is simply too talented not to be in the mix at 23. He’s one of six NCAA players to average at least 10 rebounds, two blocks and a three-point make in a season. ...
The Heat selecting FSU’s Williams would surprise me, somewhat, because he likely wouldn’t be an immediate contributor next season. ... A case could be made for Arizona’s Zeke Nnaji, who averaged 16.1 points and 8.6 boards on 57.0 percent shooting...
It would be a shame if NBA rules don’t allow Miami to work out Duke’s Carey, son of the former Dolphins and UM offensive lineman. Remember that Bam Adebayo helped his case with the Heat during his predraft workout, and Carey certainly could do the same.
Here’s more on Miami’s first-round options.
Here are some interesting revelations from Erik Spoelstra in our piece from Wednesday night.
This story was originally published May 7, 2020 at 4:38 PM.
