Shabazz Napier, one of the more polarizing former Miami Heat players, is getting a shot to prove himself in the coaching ranks now. Officially brought on by the Washington Wizards, Napier has shifted from a player to a coach.
Napier is well-known amongst Heat fans as being the player who was drafted because of LeBron James. While that's not 100 percent proven, it's hard to push back against that theory with everything we know.
Back in 2014, the Heat were scrambling to ensure that LeBron would re-sign with the team. His contract was up, and Miami was trying to keep the Big 3 intact. Part of their efforts during that summer included selecting Napier in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Even though Napier deserved to be drafted, the idea that the Heat selected him because of LeBron's affinity for him quickly gained traction.
Coming off a strong showing toward the end of the college basketball season, Napier's draft stock rose heading into the 2014 NBA Draft. However, it may have been one tweet from LeBron that pushed the Heat to the point where they needed to select him.
No way u take another PG in the lottery before Napier.
— LeBron James (@KingJames) April 8, 2014
Shortly after the Heat selected Napier in the draft, LeBron also tweeted his pleasure in it, stating that it was his favorite player in the draft. However, as history goes, that content didn't last long.
LeBron would go on to opt out of the final year of his contract with the Heat and would sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers, breaking the hearts of Heat fans.
Left in the crosshairs of all that was Napier.
Shabazz Napier's time with the Miami Heat
Napier would only play one season with the Heat before he was eventually traded. During his rookie year, Napier averaged five points and three assists on 38 percent shooting from the field. He would go on to play for six different teams throughout his six-year NBA career.
A very good, if not great, player in college, Napier simply didn't live up to the expectations that were placed before him in the NBA.
If many ways, Napier will always be linked to LeBron and the Heat.
As Napier prepares for a different chapter of his career, it'll be interesting to see where this path takes him now. Considering how much success Napier experienced playing the spot, the hope is that he'll be able to translate that into being a good coach.