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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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Josh Richardson, Miami Heat
(Photo by Isaac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Career stats with Miami: 186 GP, 10.3 PPG, 3.0 RPG, 2.4 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.7 BPG, 43.4 FG%, 37.6 3FG%, 78.7 FT%

To some extent, it speaks volumes that a second-round pick from 2015 already ranks among the top 15 Heat draft picks of all time.

However, it’s also a testament to Josh Richardson.

In March, ESPN.com’s Zach Lowe deemed Richardson to be the Heat’s “best all-around player,” particularly due to his versatility on both ends of the court.

“He is a threat both on and off the ball — must-have versatility for a star-less team that compensates by turning all five players into live-wire threats,” Lowe wrote.  “He is a terror on defense, quick enough to chase point guards and rangy enough to jostle bigger wings — and even some power forwards when Miami goes super-small.

Getting that type of value out of any draft pick would be a win in and of itself. Getting it out of a No. 40 selection is an outright steal.

As a rookie, Richardson started only two of his 52 games while averaging 6.6 points per night on 45.2 percent shooting. Two years later, he’s one of the rare players capable of blocking a shot, notching a steal and drilling a 3-pointer on any given night, as he averaged 12.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.6 triples and 0.9 blocks in 33.2 minutes per game while starting each of his 81 regular-season appearances.

Richardson’s steady progression from role player as a rookie to every-night starter this past season suggests the best is yet to come from the 24-year-old. So long as he re-signs with the Heat once his current contract expires, he’ll have a chance to finish as one of Miami’s five best draft picks ever.

Next: No. 7

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