4 potential Miami Heat draft targets in the Oregon – Kansas game
By Frank Urbina
Devonte Graham, PG, Kansas
Kansas currently starts two point guards who are projected to get drafted. There’s Mason and alongside him, they also have Devonte Graham.
Graham has better size than his counterpart at 6-foot-2, and possesses the athleticism to defend opposing shooting guards. His averages — 13.7 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 39.8 percent from deep — aren’t anywhere near as impressive as Mason’s, but are nothing to scoff at either.
The Jayhawks have the luxury of opening games with two lead guards in their lineup because both are excellent off-the-ball players, with the ability to knock down spot-up three-pointers, as well as being scrappy, quick defenders.
But don’t sell Graham short on his offensive capabilities. Thanks to his recent play, he’s trending up as a prospect. During Kansas’ Sweet 16 matchup against Purdue, Graham was brilliant. He dropped 26 points on 15 shot attempts, five of them from three, and had a steal and two assists.
Presently, DX has Graham as the 43rd pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. Miami will probably be picking anywhere between 14 and 20, so he’s not quite in our range.
Plus, I know what you may be thinking: The Heat have Dragic and a ton of other guards, so why list two more point guards as players to focus on?
My reasoning is simple — Josh Richardson and Tyler Johnson are not point guards. That’s why when Dragic and Dion Waiters aren’t in the game, the offense turns into mush. Miami need to find a backup point guard, whether in the draft or through free agency. They could do worse than developing Graham or Mason into the role after a year or two in the D-League.