The Miami Heat and the NBA are keeping things moving and the draft is next on the itinerary. With declarations flying, let’s look at PG prospect Tyrese Haliburton.
With the NBA and the Miami Heat on hiatus as far as actual game-play goes, the rest of the NBA’s business is seemingly doing it’s best to progress. A huge part of this business revolves around the NBA Draft and the declaration of college prospects into the drafting process.
This year is a bit different than others though, as we are usually dead in the middle or coming off the NCAA Tournament when these announcements start to come in flurries, but that doesn’t make them any less pertinent. One of the most recent declarations into the draft came from point guard prospect Tyrese Haliburton of Iowa State.
Haliburton is a smooth, yet traditional point guard. He has the size, the skill, the vision, and the motor to not only be successful at the next level, but due to his unique blend of skill and size for a point guard, should easily be able to carve out a long career on the next level and even if only as a bench guy/role player. While you hope the ceiling is much higher than that, especially if he lands with our Miami Heat, here is why he fits.
After the Miami Heat got rid of Justise Winslow via trade, they moved their last player from this current roster that even resembles anything close to a point guard. They have multiple players capable of bringing the ball up and/or running the offense, but Winslow was their only pass-first guy who seemed as though he would rather create for his teammates. Haliburton has the size and skill enough to step right in and have a meaningful contribution to this team.
Like many great college point guards with his 6’5 size and skillset, his jump shot needs improvement at the next level, in the molds of Michael Carter-Williams or Rodney Stuckey. While you would want him to begin to improve as soon as he sets foot in the building, that shouldn’t be too much of a problem initially due to the other players surrounding him. While the Miami Heat don’t have many, if any, players that the true point guard label can be attached to, they have a glutton of shot makers to put around Haliburton.
Haliburton’s size, skillset, and demeanor would make him a perfect fit for the Miami Heat. He fits a need while he already displays the defensive mentality and work ethic that makes us in the Culture excited.
He is slated to be a lottery pick, 13 according to NBADraft.net. So, do what you need to do Pat. Please, will you?