Heat NBA Draft 2017: 5 players Miami should consider reaching for
By Wes Goldberg
It could be hard to find a player who fits the Miami Heat’s needs and values in the NBA Draft. With the No. 14 pick, there are some players who could be worth reaching for.
Limiting a selection to the prognosticated draft boards can lead teams to missing out on potential draft steals or, worse, ending up with a bust. It’s not only important to pick one of the best players available, but to also pick a player who fits a team’s scheme and values.
The best fit might not be the best player available and, in some cases, it could be worth reaching and bringing in a player with a higher likelihood to succeed.
That very well may be the case when the Miami Heat are on the clock with the 14th pick in the NBA Draft.
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If players who belong in the lottery that clearly fit Miami’s needs (such as Justin Jackson, Lauri Markkanen, OG Anunoby and Zach Collins) are off the board, the Heat may have to reach for a player who meets those same needs.
They could draft a backup center (there are oodles of them in this draft) or a point guard (such as Colorado’s Derrick White or Oklahoma State’s Juwan Evans), but that wouldn’t be filling a need.
Besides positional needs, Miami also has a player type. Guys who prioritize conditioning and development. You’ve heard about Heat Culture, and they want guys who fit their values.
To find that player, the Heat may have to reach (by some draft expert standards). But if that results in getting the best fit, it’s worth it. Let’s look at some players who Miami should consider reaching for.