The Miami Heat haven't always valued draft picks the way many other NBA franchises do. Maybe it's the nearsighted thinking of being in perpetual pursuit of maximum competitiveness, or perhaps it's a byproduct of being one of the league's legitimate draws for marquee free agents.
The Heat have perhaps learned to hold onto their picks more lately—ill-fated 2024 trade deadline deal for Terry Rozier notwithstanding—and that's hugely important for two reasons. One, adding young, cost-controlled talent is paramount to succeeding under the collective bargaining agreement, which places punitive restrictions on the league's best spenders.
Two, when the Heat actually keep and invest their picks, they have a tendency to knock them out of the park.
If Miami continues its run of making smart draft picks, it can build a sustainable winner in the wide-open Eastern Conference.
Want to know why the Boston Celtics just unloaded Jrue Holiday and figure to make more cuts over the offseason? Or why the Phoenix Suns sent Kevin Durant out for a return package that should have Heat fans miffed that they didn't offer more?
Everything comes back to the NBA's CBA, which is, in essence, designed to promote parity by punishing lavish spending. Spend too much time on the wrong side of the second apron, and you'll lose the ability to aggregate contracts in trades, use the taxpayer midlevel exception, and not be able to trade first-round picks that are seven years into the future. Life is suddenly rough for deep-pocketed superteams.
Savvy drafters can stay a step ahead of the opposition, though, and the Heat happen to be one of them. They've made six first-round picks since 2017—none in the top 10, two in the lottery—and essentially nailed all six.
Bam Adebayo (No. 14 in 2017) and Tyler Herro (No. 13 in 2019) both ascended to All-Star status. Precious Achiuwa (No. 20 in 2020), who was traded out of Miami after his rookie year, has been a rotation-regular for five seasons. Nikola Jovic (No. 27 in 2022) has flashed high-end potential as a jumbo playmaker and shooter. Jamie Jaquez Jr. (No. 18 in 2023) hit the ground running and earned All-Rookie first-team honors. Kel'el Ware (No. 15 in 2024) looks like yet another draft-night heist with his unique blend of shot-blocking, floor-spacing, and finishing.
Oh, and if his late-season surge was any indication, Miami's draft-night acquisition of Pelle Larsson (No. 44 in 2024) potentially yielded yet another rotation piece.
Just to recap, that's two stars, two potential stars (Ware for sure, Jovic if you're feeling extra optimistic), and three rotation players with six mid-to-late first-round picks and a trade for a mid-second-rounder. That's just impressive roster-building stuff in any era, but invaluable work in a time when cost-controlled talent is as critical as ever.
Plus, the Heat have a chance to keep this pipeline moving as they possess this year's No. 20 pick. And while the selection is sure to generate some trade chatter, if Miami has actually embraced a bit of a youth movement, then this is a great opportunity to further this effort.
Quick fixes were fun when they were available to the franchise, but succeeding in today's NBA means building and sustaining a deep roster with smart draft picks. The Heat are well on their way to making that happen.