With the NBA Draft drawing closer, and the Miami Heat owning the 14th pick, we take a look at some notable selections at that spot over the years.
When the 2016-17 NBA season began and the Miami Heat started out 11-30, the hopes of obtaining the first overall pick in the draft began to swell. However, Dion Waiters emerged and the Heat finished the season doing the inverse, going 30-11 to finish 41-41.
More from All U Can Heat
- Grade the Trade: Heat grab Trae Young in shocking proposal
- NBA 2K24 Ratings: Takeaways and reactions to Miami Heat player ratings
- 4 Teams that should trade for Tyler Herro
- Miami Heat’s Nikola Jovic gives entire world reason to love him
- 1 Advantage the Heat have over every Southeast Division team
The ending of the season, while amazing, lead the Heat to the 14th pick in the lottery and effectively dashed any hopes of securing a franchise player, despite what could be a deep draft.
While most basketball fans see a late pick as a negative, there have been some gems found with the 14th pick that indicate the possibility of finding something good there.
Sure, a team’s chances of finding a franchise-altering talent are higher near the top of the draft, but as we’ve seen through history, you can still find All Stars in the middle of the first round.
Here’s a look at a few guys that the No. 14 pick has produced over the years.
4. Peja Stojakovic, 1996, Sacramento Kings
Although Stojakovic was drafted in 1996, he didn’t begin his NBA career with the Kings until 1998 after coming over from Greece.
A lethal shooter, he was a huge part of the early 2000’s Kings, arguably some of the best teams in recent league history. He averaged 18.5 points, five rebounds, and two assists per game in his eight years in Sacramento.
2003-2004 proved to be his best season, as he averaged 24.2 points and 6.3 rebounds en route to a 2nd team all-NBA selection.
A three-time all-star (2002-2004), Stojakovic eventually won a championship as a member of the 2011 Dallas Mavericks.
3. Dan Majerle, 1988, Phoenix Suns
Majerle had major success as a college player, averaging 21.8 points and 8.9 rebounds with Central Michigan over four years.
While Majerle wasn’t as successful in the NBA as Drexler before him in the 14th spot, he more than held his own as a pro. Finishing with three all-star selections (1992, 1993, 1995) and two All-Defense selections (1991 and 1993), he served as a key member of the 1993 Phoenix Suns team that reached the NBA Finals. Majerle accumulated averages of 14.6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game in his first seven seasons with the Suns.
Majerle also has ties to the Miami Heat, as he played with the team from 1996 to 2001, averaging 7.3 points and 4.1 rebounds.
2. Tim Hardaway, 1989, Golden State Warriors
Hardaway came into the NBA extremely talented and well coached, having played for the great Don Haskins at UTEP. Hardaway is viewed as the innovator of the killer crossover, which was dubbed “The UTEP two-step.”
As a member of the Warriors, he’d averaged 20.5 points and 9.6 assists in his first six years, despite missing one year with a knee injury. His stint with Warriors also included three all-star appearances (1991-1993), two all-NBA selections (1992 and 1993), and first team all-Rookie in 1990.
He’s also known for being a part of the Run-TMC trio, with Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin.
Like Majerle, Hardaway spent the mid to late 90’s as a member of the Heat, contributing 17.3 points and 7.6 assists.
1. Clyde Drexler, 1983, Portland Trail Blazers
Drexler was the premier wing prospect before Michael Jordan, establishing himself as a significant member of the Phi Slamma Jamma crew at the University of Houston with Hakeem Olajuwon.
Drexler accumulated averages of 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists per game in his 12 seasons as a member of the Trail Blazers.
His accolades include seven all-star selections, four All-NBA selections (first team in 1991-92), runner-up in the 1992 MVP voting, and a roster spot with the 1992 Dream Team.
Next: The 5 worst draft picks in Heat history
He also went on to win a championship with the 1995 Houston Rockets. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.