The Miami Heat should remain without a 2018 NBA draft pick.
Thursday, June 21 marks the 2018 NBA Draft, and fans around the league are busy trying to figure out who their teams are going to select.
Yes, including Heat Nation, despite the Miami Heat not having a pick this year.
While the organization’s first two-round picks are owned to the Phoenix Suns as part of the Goran Dragic trade, their second-round selection will be going to the Houston Rockets, via the 2016 deal to get Chris Andersen back.
But that doesn’t officially mean the Heat will walk away from the draft empty handed.
For starters, it has become somewhat of a common occurrence for president Pat Riley to keep his eyes on undrafted players. In fact, he already took time to stop by the combine in Chicago last month, to do a little scouting.
There are also ways for the franchise to get their hands on a pick. It would just require a little planning.
Currently, Miami does not have any cash considerations to help move a deal along. However, as of July 6, they will have $5.2 million to play around with, should the front office really see someone that catches their eye. The only caveat? They would have to make an agreement with another team, have that team pick for them, and complete the deal once the money becomes available.
Of course, the Heat could also try and make a draft-day trade. This would be harder, given the types of contracts Miami has on the books, but not impossible. Especially with magician general manager Andy Elisburg on staff.
The question is, should management really even bother?
There’s an argument to be made that if the Heat can make themselves a part of this draft, they should. After all, look how well drafting Bam Adebayo, Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow worked out for Miami. Plus, with the likely up-and-coming draft eligibility changes looming, this may be one of the last times the organization can get its hands on this specific type of talent, as the Heat owe their unprotected 2021 pick to the Suns.
However, it seems like the Heat have enough on their plate this summer.
Between undoubtedly trying to reel in yet another whale (like LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard), and trying to clear cap space held up by deals like Tyler Johnson‘s, it may not be the time to add yet another variable to the mix.
Especially when generally speaking, Riley would rather work with established talent anyways.
"“To be really honest with you, I’m not a draft pick guy. You know that. We’ve got enough. We’ve got a good young core of players. We hope that one of the guys we really like that we can sign on July 1 might be tantamount to a first-round pick for us.”"
And he’s likely right.
With a youth movement already underway and enough talented free agents on the market this summer, Miami is better off forgetting the draft all together and focusing on building around its established young core, while trying to add a veteran piece or two for stability.
Because even if the Heat don’t land a top-level guy, they should absolutely feel confident in being able to bring on a potential project player like Tyreke Evans or Rudy Gay.
Next: Miami Heat: 15 best draft picks in franchise history
It’s easy to get caught up in the hype, but the Miami Heat are better off sitting back and relaxing this Thursday night.