All U Can Heat
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Miami Heat: 15 best draft picks in franchise history

By Bryan Toporek

MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat brings the ball up the court in the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on April 21, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwyane Wade
MIAMI, FL - APRIL 21: Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat brings the ball up the court in the third quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Four of Round One of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at American Airlines Arena on April 21, 2018 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Dwyane Wade /
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Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Career stats with Miami: 876 GP, 23.4 PPG, 5.7 APG, 4.8 RPG, 1.6 SPG, 0.9 BPG, 48.3 FG%, 28.3 3FG%, 76.7 FT%

As if anyone else could possibly be atop these rankings.

Following a 25-57 season in 2002-03, the Heat landed the No. 5 overall pick in the famed 2003 draft. They used that selection on a Marquette guard by the name of Dwyane Wade, who would inexorably alter the course of their franchise for the better.

Wade earned a spot on the All-Rookie first team in 2003-04 after averaging 16.2 points, 4.5 assists and 4.0 rebounds while starting 56 of his 61 games during his first NBA season. The following year, he began a streak of 12 straight All-Star appearances while leading the team in points (24.1), assists (6.8), steals (1.6) and minutes (38.6).

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He guided them to a franchise-high 59 wins and a berth in the Eastern Conference Finals that season, where they’d lose to the defending NBA champion Detroit Pistons in a seven-game slugfest.

Wade and the Heat got their revenge the following season. Wade set new career highs in points (27.4), assists (7.5) and steals (2.1) per game, and the Heat knocked the Pistons out in the Eastern Conference Finals en route to their first-ever NBA championship following a six-game victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Four years later, Wade was able to lure both LeBron James and Chris Bosh to South Beach to form the Heatles. Though Wade took somewhat of a backseat to James during that four-year run, the Heat made the NBA Finals all four seasons and won two more titles in 2012 and 2013.

Next: Miami Heat: Top 10 small forwards of all-time

Wade isn’t only the best draft pick in Heat franchise history; he’s the best player in Heat franchise history. There’s no arguing his spot atop the team’s overall hierarchy.

Unless otherwise noted, all stats via NBA.com or Basketball Reference. All salary information via Basketball Insiders.

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