Miami Heat Roundtable: Who should they take with the 20th pick?

NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum speaks prior to the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft at Barclays (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports)
NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum speaks prior to the second round of the 2019 NBA Draft at Barclays (Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports) /
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Miami Heat
Arizona Wildcats guard Nico Mannion (1) drives against Washington Huskies(Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports) /

The Miami Heat need an impact guy. Could this highly touted high school prospect be the guy?

Garret Brooks (@Garrett_Brooks1) – Nico Mannion – G- Arizona

Nico Mannion saw his stock fall during his one year at Arizona and the Heat could be the beneficiaries of that. Mannion has a skill set that is easy to project developing into an impact player down the road.

Mannion possesses the vision and play-making ability desired from the point guard position. His tape suggests the ability to develop into a better shooter than he was in college as well, where he struggled with consistency.

There’s reason to believe in him being able to correct that in the coming years and if he can be a good NBA shooter, then he should have a very impactful NBA career.

This pick has the added benefit of allowing Nico to learn the game from both the Heat staff and veterans such as Jimmy Butler and specifically, Goran Dragic. Mannion is similar in size to Dragic and flashes the ability to finish creatively like Dragic so often does.

Playing behind him and hopefully, picking his brain will help Mannion see and feel the game better, helping him maximize his upside. He fills a position of need with the unknown future of Kendrick Nunn and the potentially perfect mentor is already in place in Dragic.

Mannion will be considered a reach by some at number 20, but this is about the talent he possesses and the Heat’s ability to help him make the most of that. As Dragic gets older, Mannion would be able to step into the type of role Goran thrived in for the years prior.

That’s why he’s my guy at 20.