Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Plenty of scenarios for Heat choices
MIAMI — “With the 13th pick in 2019 NBA draft, the Miami Heat select” … the best player available.
Yes, there certainly is plenty of validity to the approach. But the draft also is not conducted in a vacuum, especially when there are so many variables in the Heat’s future.
So in our latest delve into the Heat’s options at No. 13 in the June 20 draft at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center we assess the possible scenarios that could impact an approach other than something as mundane as best player available.
If no other moves are taken into consideration, the Heat select … Rui Hachimura:
The Gonzaga junior forward offers the versatility of being a plug-in component for the moment, but also with room to grow. Yet while he likely will fall into the Heat’s range, he also might not last until No. 13.
If the Heat come to the realization that their go-to scorer won’t be Josh Richardson or Dion Waiters, they select … Kevin Porter Jr.:
At this point, it seems as if getting Waiters’ contract off the books is a priority. It also appears as if Richardson’s time as go-to scorer came and went at the start of last season. With the Southern Cal freshman guard the Heat could play through the balance of Waiters’ contract as
they hope Porter grows both on and off the court.
If the Heat are able move off the cap space of Dion Waiters or James Johnson, they select … P.J. Washington:
Moving off the money of Johnson or Waiters would signal a fast-forwarding of the makeover timetable. With the Kentucky sophomore, the Heat would be adding a forward who has shown continued improvement, adding a floor-spacing presence, as well as a prospect would could provide long-term consistency.
If the Heat find the means to trade up, appreciating the reality of the first three picks being out of reach, the target should be … Cam Reddish:
From a lottery prize, Reddish has tumbled into something a bit less, due to an uneven season at Duke with his shooting and playmaking. Now the freshman forward seemingly could be reclaimed from a spot in the middle of the lottery.
If the Heat determine taking the long view is the most prudent approach, they select … Sekou Doumbouya:
This would be a case of assessing growth curves, in this case with the highest-rated wing among the international prospects. Patience hasn’t exactly been the Heat’s approach, but that could wind up the only logical reality at the moment.
If Erik Spoelstra decides to get back into the laboratory with his position-less approach on offense and defensive zoning up, the Heat select … Bol Bol:
The Oregon freshman provides a unique possibility as a 7-foot 3-point shooter and could serve as a goaltender in zone defense that do not require holding position in the post.
If the Heat prioritize their shooting deficit, they … make a move for Tyler Herro:
No. 13 would appear too early for the floor-spacing Kentucky guard, but with Wayne Ellington, Tyler Johnson and possibly even Goran Dragic gone, there is something to be said about getting the team’s shooting back on target.
If the Heat are able to get off the cap space of Goran Dragic either by trade or opt out, they … make a move in the draft:
There is the elite tier at point guard at the top of the order, with Ja Morant, Darius Garland and Coby White, and then there are intriguing options further down the order, such as Tremont Waters, Carsen Edwards or even Jared Harper. So if the Heat move on from Dragic and aren’t completely sold on Justise Winslow as their future at the position, a draft move might make the most sense.
If the Heat are able to get off the cap space of Hassan Whiteside by trade or opt out, they select … Jaxon Hayes:
Because while Kelly Olynyk and Bam Adebayo still would be in place, rim running, and deterrence will continue to be emphasized, with the Texas freshman center an Adebayo-like growth project.