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6 potential Miami Heat draft targets to watch in the Sweet 16

By Frank Urbina

Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) dribbles against Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 19, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) dribbles against Arizona State Sun Devils guard Shannon Evans II (11) in the second half at Pauley Pavilion. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) shoots over New Mexico State Aggies forward Johnathon Wilkins (11) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Baylor defeated New Mexico State 91-73. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Tulsa, OK, USA; Baylor Bears forward Johnathan Motley (5) shoots over New Mexico State Aggies forward Johnathon Wilkins (11) during the second half in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at BOK Center. Baylor defeated New Mexico State 91-73. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Johnathan Motley, PF, Baylor

Another high-upside option for Miami, but this time at a position of (major) need, is Baylor’s Johnathan Motley.

The junior power forward is setting career-highs all across the board, scoring 17.3 points nightly, to go with 9.9 boards, 2.4 dimes and 1.1 blocks. He’s not yet a threat from three-point range, which does hurt considering the Heat want a stretch-4 to pair with Whiteside, but he has improved his skill level this season.

Further, he’s a terror in the open floor. According to DX, as a sophomore last year, he was in the 98th-percentile in transition scoring. Just imagine the possibilities of him running the floor with Goran Dragic or J. Johnson pushing the ball.

Despite not being an insane athlete, Motley does have a ridiculous 7-foot-4 wingspan, which will help him defensively in the NBA. He’s also got soft touch in the mid- to low-post, to go with an effective turnaround jumper.

If you want a good look at the Baylor Bear firing on all cylinders, just watch his 32 point, 20 rebound performance against Texas from Jan. 17.

Motley’s potential, good hands and burgeoning post game make him a very intriguing option for Miami to replace Luke Babbitt with.

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