NBA Mock Draft: As the 2023 NBA Draft inches closer and closer, we rank the top 15 most realistic prospects that could be available for the Miami Heat.
It’s been a rough season for the Miami Heat. And despite the fact that they qualified for the postseason, it’s hard to imagine that anything they do in the playoffs is going to change the narrative on how the 2022-23 NBA season will be remembered for them.
The good news is that the offseason is nearly here and it will present the team with the opportunity to begin to right a few wrongs. The overwhelming expectation is that there is going to be a big move made by the Heat. After all, this team can’t seemingly run it back this offseason. Not with how disappointing they’ve looked (and performed) this year.
The big question is, what moves – big or small – will the Heat end up making? One way the Heat can get off to a strong start to the offseason is by making a smart decision with their projected top 20 draft pick.
How will the Miami Heat approach the 2023 NBA Draft?
It’ll be interesting to see how the Heat elects to approach the draft. There are clear issues and needs that Miami has on its roster but with the expectation that they’re going to try to address at least some of those via trade, I’m not sure if there’s going to be a clear pathway on which type of prospect to use their pick on.
As the 2023 NBA Draft quickly approaches, we rank the top 15 realistic prospects that the Heat could consider with their projected top 20 draft pick.
Honorable mention
Nick Smith Jr., G, Arkansas
Nick Smith Jr. is considered an honorable mention because he would have to be viewed as somewhat of a pipe dream selection for the Heat. He’s a top 5 talent but has begun to fall down NBA Draft boards of late. He had a forgettable freshman season at Arkansas and perhaps an even worse showing in the NCAA Tournament.
If he falls to the Heat, there’s no question that Miami should bet on Smith alone based on his raw talent and upside. Smith in Miami’s development system would be borderline unfair.