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An early look at the Miami Heat’s NBA draft needs and targets

By Frank Urbina

Nov 25, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) dribbles the ball as North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs guard Kevin Vannatta (10) defends during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 95-57. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks guard Josh Jackson (11) dribbles the ball as North Carolina-Asheville Bulldogs guard Kevin Vannatta (10) defends during the second half at Allen Fieldhouse. Kansas won 95-57. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA;Miami Heat forward Luke Babbitt (5) passes the ball to guard Goran Dragic (7) against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic 108-96. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA;Miami Heat forward Luke Babbitt (5) passes the ball to guard Goran Dragic (7) against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Miami Heat defeated the Orlando Magic 108-96. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Team Needs

It’s clear what the team’s biggest need is. Luke Babbitt and Derrick Williams have no business starting at power forward for a team trying to win games. Whether Miami actually wants to win games this season is up for debate, but one thing is not: neither of those guys are the future starting power forward.

In eight games as a starter, Babbitt averaged six points, while shooting 33 percent from the floor, and 32 percent from three. Williams, meanwhile, has started nine games for the Heat. He’s averaged seven points and two rebounds, on 37 percent shooting, and a paltry 17 percent from deep.

Here’s an even closer look. Value Over Replacement Player (VORP), is a metric that measures how much better a player is than a “replacement-level” player. A replacement-level player is the equivalent of a D-League call-up. Essentially, if a player is in the negatives, he’s “worse” than replacement-level.

Using this barometer, Miami’s two worst players this season have been Williams and Babbitt. Both currently sit at -0.1 VORP. Enough said.

Power forward isn’t the only position in which the team needs help. Justise Winslow is currently the only true small forward on the roster. Rodney McGruder has filled in admirably, but due to his size, he’s best suited to play shooting guard.

Before getting hurt, Winslow wasn’t exactly lighting it up either. His true-shooting percentage, which is a measure of efficiency that takes into account two-point and three-point field goals, plus free-throws, is 38.4. That’s the 45th lowest percentage in the NBA, behind players like Metta World Peace and Chris “Birdman” Anderson. His wrist injury could have something to do with his struggles, but regardless, the start of his sophomore year has been disappointing.

So we’re all in agreement, power forward and small forward are Miami’s two biggest needs. First, let’s take a closer look at the power forwards available in this year’s draft.

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