All U Can Heat
Fansided

6 players who could be available when the Heat pick at No. 14

By Wes Goldberg

Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) controls the ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels forward Justin Jackson (44) controls the ball against the Gonzaga Bulldogs in the first half in the championship game of the 2017 NCAA Men's Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
7 of 7
Next
Mar 25, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins (32) shoots against Xavier Musketeers forward Kaiser Gates (22) in the finals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 25, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; Gonzaga Bulldogs forward Zach Collins (32) shoots against Xavier Musketeers forward Kaiser Gates (22) in the finals of the West Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at SAP Center. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Zach Collins, PF/C, Gonzaga

Age: 19
Height: 7-foot-0
Wingspan: 7-foot-1
Weight: 232 pounds

Pros:

  • An NBA-level rebounder who grabbed 1.7 offensive rebounds per game in limited minutes off the bench.
  • Good mobility and coordination, especially at his size and position
  • Will be a versatile defender who can guard both frontcourt positions and switch onto wings
  • Nice shooting touch and mechanics, should be able to space the floor.

Cons:

  • Average athlete, lacks elite length
  • Needs to develop as a passer (0.4 assists per game) and his overall feel for the game

Lowdown: 

Collins didn’t start as a freshman at Gonzaga but his potential leaps off the screen when you watch him. He’s probably the best two-way center in this year’s draft, and should carve out a role on any team pretty quickly. The question is how high is his ceiling. If he continues to develop his jumper and improves his overall feel for the game (which should come with time, age and coaching) Collins compares favorably to a young Marc Gasol.

Next: Immediate reaction to the draft lottery

For the Heat, Collins could step in and play backup center minutes behind Whiteside or next to him as a power forward. Eventually, he could develop into a modern NBA center who makes Whiteside expendable, or pairs with him to form a tall and athletic frontcourt.

Home/Heat Draft