As we have been profiling over the past couple of weeks, conventional wisdom says that the Miami Heat will draft a guard on June 25. When thinking of the starting five for the Heat and possible starting lineup combinations, it is a clear area of need for a team that was in the bottom half of the NBA in scoring in 2024-25.
However, a new mock draft from Fox Sports suggests a potential pathway for Miami to consider another big man. And while, at first glance, this seems out of left field, there is a pathway for the pick to make sense. But due to one bad contract on the roster, it isn't a realistic outcome for Miami.
Fox Sports thinks Miami could draft Asa Newell out of Georgia
Asa Newell is a 6'11" forward/center originally from Destin who played for the Georgia Bulldogs this past college season. Fox Sports has just posted a mock draft in which they project Newell as Miami's pick at No. 20.
We'll discuss Newell's potential fit with the Heat in a moment, but on film, as a stand-alone player, he fits the bill of a dominant inside player. If you don't watch much college basketball, understand that Georgia coach Mike White runs one of the more dull and predictable offenses in the country, and Newell was still able to dominate on the inside.
He averaged 15.4 points as a true freshman, and the bulk of his points either came from dunks or hook shots in the paint. He took 2.7 three-point shots a game but only hit 29% of them, so don't expect the second coming of Karl Anthony-Towns out there.
Newell is considered a solid rim protector, but at just 220 pounds, he would be giving up size to some of the genuine big men in the NBA (think Isaiah Hartenstein or Rudy Golbert).
Does Asa Newell make sense to the Heat?
Terry Rozier's contract presents a problem for the Heat in more ways than one. Rozier being a $26 million anchor means Miami might feel forced to take a big swing on a cheap contract for 2025-26.
Miami needs scoring heading into next season, and Newell isn't going to be that guy in 2025-26. If Miami wants a long-term approach, they could take Newell, rotate him with Kel'el Ware at the 5, and free up Bam Adebayo to play the 4/3.
It doesn't solve the problem of Miami's backcourt having zero backup for Tyler Herro.
In the long term, Newell feels like a rotational piece. He might be a useful one, but that doesn't feel like what the Heat needs heading into 2025-26.