Since coming into existence in 1988, the Miami Heat haven’t found much success with the NBA draft, save for a few glaring exceptions.
Throughout their franchise history, the Miami Heat have had only six top-10 picks — four of which came within their first four seasons — and they’ve made just one top-three selection. They had the No. 3 overall pick in 1990, but they shipped it to the Denver Nuggets for Nos. 9 and 15, which they’d later use on Willie Burton and Dave Jamerson, respectively.
Trades involving draft picks became a common theme for Miami over the ensuing years.
In September 1992, the Heat sent Isaiah Morris and their 1993 first-round pick to the Detroit Pistons for John Salley, who went on to play only three nondescript seasons in Miami. Three years later, they sent Glen Rice, Matt Geiger, Khalid Reeves and their 1996 first-rounder to the Charlotte Hornets for Alonzo Mourning, Pete Meyers and LeRon Ellis. (Here’s guessing they don’t regret that move.)
They dove back into the trade well during the early 2010s during the “Heatles” era, making only two picks across the 2011 through 2013 drafts. They promptly traded away both of those players — Bojan Bogdanovic (No. 31 in 2011) and Arnett Moultrie (No. 27 in 2012) — before either played a minute in a Heat uniform.
Since the Heat have made only 55 selections over the past 30 seasons, it’s relatively simple to home in on their best picks of all time. Ranking those players is more challenging, though. (Players who Miami acquired in draft-day trades — here’s looking at you, Mario Chalmers — weren’t included for consideration here.)
Based on production during their time in Miami and expected value based on draft slot — i.e., successful second-round picks are weighted more heavily than lottery picks with relatively equivalent production — the following 15 players stand out as the best draft picks in Heat history.
Honorable mentions: Justise Winslow (No. 10, 2015); Rasual Butler (No. 53, 2002); Dorell Wright (No. 19, 2004)
Next: No. 15