The NBA Draft is continuing to get closer and closer for the Miami Heat, and this year, the common belief is that Miami is going to want a playmaker and/or a guard to help bolster the offensive side of things in 2025/26.
But while the Heat have had their eyes on Walter Clayton Jr. they also are looking at a forward to potentially fill that role.
Miami Heat have a workout with Will Riley
Last week, the Heat had a workout with Will Riley. Originally from Canada, Riley is listed at 6'8" and spent last year with the University of Illinois.
He is listed as a forward, but he doesn't really play like one. If you didn't know any better, Riley tends to play like a downhill guard who likes to get the ball above the arc and drive to the rim.
There isn't much flash in his game; he is just using his length to ward off defenders at the rim and score. He is also mobile off the ball and times his cuts well to get to the rim.
Riley started playing some of his better basketball towards the backend of the college season, including 22 points off 8/12 shooting in a first-round win in the NCAA Tournament over Xavier.
Does Riley make sense?
Most mock drafts seem to think Riley is going to go sometime around the 15-25 range, so the Heat will probably have a chance to take him.
The problem is that he is caught in no man's land in terms of his fit with the Heat.
He tries to play like a point guard but only shoots 32% from three. He's not afraid to make the simple pass for an assist but rarely is he threading the needle for an elite assist. He also just doesn't have the explosiveness to give one confidence he is going to translate right away in the NBA.
Riley would essentially slot in to rotate for Andrew Wiggins as the roster is currently constructed, and that isn't the most pressing need for Miami.
Riley still has a lot to prove and would be a gamble at No. 20 for the Heat.