With the Heat still very much in the mix as a Kevin Durant trade partner with the Suns, there’s no guarantee they’ll be selecting at their allotted spot of the 20th pick in the 2025 draft. However, that hasn’t deterred them from approaching their first-round draft preparation as usual, writes Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Winderman adds that there’s a lot of potential volatility in the Heat’s draft range. The 16th pick has already moved from Orlando to Memphis, while Minnesota, at 17, is also firmly in the Durant mix, and the 18th and 19th picks, belonging to Washington and Brooklyn, respectively, will likely be involved in trade discussions too, since both teams have multiple first-rounders and are rumored to be exploring trade-up scenarios.
The Heat have declined to make their pre-draft workouts public, unlike many teams, which has led to speculation that they’re focusing more on Durant. But Winderman writes that just because the sessions aren’t being announced doesn’t mean there isn’t due diligence happening behind the scenes.
We have more on the Heat’s draft outlook:
- As for who the Heat could select should they stay at No. 20, Miami Herald writer Anthony Chiang has published a trio of articles detailing potential targets. When it comes to guard options, Chiang writes that some, if not all, of Walter Clayton Jr. (Flordia), Egor Demin (BYU), Kasparas Jakucionis (Illinois), Jase Richardson (Michigan State), and Nolan Traore (Saint-Quentin) could be available, though he views Demin and Jakucionis as most likely to be off the board by the time Miami picks.
- If Miami decides to prioritize a wing, Chiang says that the most likely field of candidates include Nique Clifford (CSU), Cedric Coward (Washington State), Liam McNeeley (UConn), Drake Powell (UNC), Will Riley (Illinois), Adou Thiero (Arkansas), Hugo Gonzalez (Real Madrid), and Noah Penda (Le Mans). Coward is considered one of the draft’s major risers and is a real threat to go in the lottery. Clifford’s combination of size, age, and a well-rounded skill set could make him a prospect of interest to teams looking to find a more ready-made contributor.
- Finally, Chiang looks at the draft’s big men prospects. Names that could be on the board at No. 20 include Rasheer Fleming (Saint Joseph), Ryan Kalkbrenner (Creighton), Collin Murray-Boyles (South Carolina), Asa Newell (Georgia), Maxime Raynaud (Stanford), Thomas Sorber (Georgetown), Danny Wolf (Michigan), Joan Beringer (Cedevita Olimpija), and Noa Essengue (Ulm). Of that group, Murray-Boyles and Essengue are the ones viewed as the best bets to be lottery picks, while Beringer has become an increasingly popular name for teams in the middle of the first round after measuring in at an impressive 6’11” barefoot with a 7’5″ wingspan.
Long term wise for the Heat I think Bam is the 4 and Ware is the 5. While Herro is the 2 they need a 1, a 3 and better options off the bench.
Wiggins I don’t think is good enough to bridge the gap between Herro and Bam. Think they need someone who is bigger and thicker but who still can move about well on smaller guys. Plus offensively he’s not going to consistently give you want you want either.
I’m also not at all sold on Jacquez thought they should’ve moved off him earlier while there was more value there and Rozier, Robinson and Anderson should all be on the block.
In terms of potential moves,
Andrew Wiggins, Terry Rozier and 2 second round picks for Kris Middleton and Marcus Smart.
Then retain Daivon Mitchell.
Mitchell/Smart pair with Herro in the backcourt. One provides the offence and the other provides the defence. While at the 3 you now have Kris Middleton who provides more size than Wiggins and you’re happy with him being able to switch onto 2/4’s.
Then let do Duncan Robinson and Jamie Jacquez for Rob Williams and Mattise Thybulle.
Rob gives you a very good back up centre who is pretty similar to Bam and he I think will pair well with Jovic. While Thybulle just provides another good back up defender.
At 20 I’d draft a point guard either Kasparas, Egor or the most likely option, Walter Clayton Jr.
Leaving you looking like
Mitchell Herro Middleton Bam Ware
Clayton Smart Highmsith Jovic Williams
Larson Thybulle
Washington would be all over that trade. They’d get Wiggins the best player in the trade and Rozier who is on a expiring deal along with two 2nds for two guys that don’t play much anymore. If they didn’t want to deal with Wiggins player option they could probably trade him to a contender for a late first around the trade deadline.
Think it’s great for both sides.
Smart would be a great fit next to Herro or coming off the bench.
Yes he’s been injured a bunch but he’s still only 31 and a former DPOY guard and leader. This Miami team has a couple vets but not many that actually contribute that much on the court. Smart and Middleton would.
Smart could also be used off the bench next to a young score first guy like Clayton.
Middleton has more size than Wiggins and would be a nice SF that’ll play both ends and makes winning plays.
Both guys are on expiring deals so if it doesn’t work then you at-least clear the cap space to go after a big name in FA the following year.
Same with Rob Will and Thybulle just more expiring money but proven win now role players.
Overall they might lack abit of offence but you’ve got a team full of great defenders. Ware could easily be a 20-10 big that can shoot the 3. Clayton also has a huge ceiling and would provide a good scoring input. Middleton and Smart both wouldn’t be expected to do to much just chip in 15 ish.
In a weaken east they’d be a team to watch out for
Good trade ideas. Miami surely will make a trade or two. Riley blew it with Rozier!
If that Lithuanian kid is available at 20, a lot of people should be unemployed.
I’m not sure why the Wizards would want Rozier at $26.6 million with an unresolved federal investigation, or why they would choose to expose their young core to someone who might be a malign influence.
Heat need help on the wing, preferable someone that can play the 2/3 spots, play next to Herro, defend, doesnt necessarily need the ball in their hands, and can shoot
Unfortunately, I cant do my usual draft research before the draft thos year, and might not even be able to watch summer league either, as I usually would. My eyes are kind of messed up right now…anyone that can describe players skillsets to me?