Is Ivan Rabb a good fit for the Miami Heat in the NBA Draft?

After a private workout with the Miami Heat, Ivan Rabb is an interesting option to take at No. 14 in the NBA Draft.

With Chris Bosh and the Miami Heat nearing an agreement to part ways, the team could be looking to the upcoming NBA Draft to find his replacement. Cal power forward Ivan Rabb, who has likened his game to Bosh’s, had a private workout with the team this week, according to the Miami Herald.

"California forward Ivan Rabb, one of about a dozen serious possibilities for the Heat’s pick at No. 14 overall, was summoned to AmericanAirlines Arena on Wednesday for a private Heat workout, according to a source."

Projected as a lottery pick following his freshman season at Cal, Rabb decided to go back to school for his sophomore year. He averaged 14 points and 10.5 rebounds, while his shooting percentage decreased (from 61.5 percent to 49 percent) and made just 8 of his 20 3-point attempts.

While the extra year has potentially left him out of the lottery, that seems to be the case with most non-freshman. In its latest mock draft, DraftExpress predicts that only three non-freshman will be selected in the first 14 picks.

Rabb’s decrease in scoring efficiency seems worrisome on its face, but it coincides with him facing more double teams after teammate Jaylen Brown opted to jump to the NBA after their freshman seasons. Rabb remained, and became the focal point of an offense that lacked spacing and talent.

Once in the NBA, Rabb won’t be dealing with that sort of attention, which should free him up to make open jumpers and do what he does best–set good screens, make smart passes and rebound.

Rabb is an NBA-ready rebounder. He boxes out well and, at 6-foot-10 with a 7-foot-1 wingspan, has the length to get up and grab loose balls. Early in his career, this is where his bread will be buttered.

Rabb showed some nice post skills in the PAC-12 but, at 220 pounds, he’s a little lean, and could get bullied when going against bigger players near the rim. Still, he has nice footwork and, if he can perfect a few go-to moves, he’ll be able to score, especially against second units.

With his lean body and fluid athleticism, Rabb looks the part of a stretch-4. The problem is he didn’t shoot like one in college. He wasn’t asked to take many 3’s in Cuonzo Martin’s offense, and he took just 22 3-pointers in two years, making nine. Still, Nylon Calculus projects him as a 32 percent 3-point shooter. If that plays out, it’s respectable for a big man and will demand attention on the perimeter.

The problem with Rabb–and this is where the Bosh comparison falls apart–is that he isn’t a superb athlete, which puts a cap on his ceiling. Entering the NBA, Bosh was so athletic and his touch so natural that he was able to be a double-digit scorer early in his career in Toronto. Rabb won’t dominate like a young Bosh, and doesn’t have the same ceiling.

Rabb projects more like Al Horford-lite. He’s probably at best a third option down the road, who will set good screens, make the right pass (1.5 assists per game last season) and open shots. If he gets stronger, he’ll be able to play some 5, too.

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Given that his calling card at this point–rebounding–is the same as Hassan Whiteside’s, and he still needs to develop his outside shot, Rabb would make for a clunky fit in Miami’s starting lineup. However, he might thrive as a backup 4/5 who can attack opposing second units in an up-tempo offense. At No. 14, he might not be the player with the highest ceiling, but he’d be a safe pick and one who would find a way to contribute right away.