With a little more than a week until the 2025 NBA Draft, which is slated for June 25, there are several different ways the Miami Heat could approach their big decision at No. 20. But if they end up missing on Kevin Durant, the Heat may have to resort to a highly unproven approach in an attempt to make a difference-making move.
That unproven approach has to be making a move for a high-ceiling player above one that could theoretically help the roster now. Even though that may be against how the Heat has drafted on occasion of late, it will likely give the team the best chance to hit big on a pick this late in the first round.
As we inch closer to the 2025 NBA Draft, the Heat take a much bolder approach than perhaps most believe they will in our latest mock draft.
1. Dallas Mavericks - Cooper Flagg, F, Duke
There's not going to be much movement at the top. The Dallas Mavericks are going to take Cooper Flagg, and there's not really much else to say at this point. The hope is that Kyrie Irving will be back before the end of the season and that Anthony Davis can remain relatively healthy throughout the year.
2. San Antonio Spurs - Dylan Harper, G, Rutgers
There could be some hesitation with this selection, but I don't believe that the San Antonio Spurs, in their right mind, should be willing to pass on a player as talented as Dylan Harper. There's been some whispers that they could trade the pick, but I don't buy it.
3. Philadelphia 76ers - V.J. Edgecombe, G, Baylor
After a disastrous season, the Philadelphia 76ers have been given the gift of the No. 3 overall pick in a pretty strong draft. In the end, I believe the Sixers are going to take a player that fits greatly next to what they already have in place with Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George. V.J. Edgecombe, with his positional versatility and off-the-chart athleticism, is that prospect.
4. Charlotte Hornets - Ace Bailey, F, Rutgers
With one of the most polarizing prospects on the board, the Charlotte Hornets will have to make a difficult decision. Do they take the gamble on talent, or is there something more the Hornets should be striving for? In the end, I believe the Hornets will take a chance on Ace Bailey. If he hits his ceiling as a prospect, the rewards would far outweigh the potential risk.
5. Utah Jazz - Tre Johnson, G, Texas
There have been some whispers that Jeremiah Fears could end up taking a bit of a tumble in the NBA Draft. If there is any credence to that, it wouldn't be surprising to see a team like the Utah Jazz shy away from such a selection. Of course, the problem for the Jazz is that they're essentially swapping one high-risk prospect for another. Tre Johnson could give this team a true offensive boost.
6. Washington Wizards - Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
The Washington Wizards should be exploring options of trying to move up, but that will likely be easier said than done. Trying to make the most out of this pick, I could see the Wizards taking a huge chance on Jeremiah Fears. A prospect that has shown some promise as a pick-and-roll lead guard, Fears does have some of that "it" factor in the backcourt.
7. New Orleans Pelicans - Kon Knueppel, G, Duke
There's a chance that Kon Knueppel is one of the bigger sleeper prospects in this draft class. As a pure shooter with the promise to add more as he continues to develop, the New Orleans Pelicans could be taking one of the real steals in the top 10. He may not be a sexy name, but Knueppel checks a lot of the boxes of what New Orleans needs on the perimeter.
8. Brooklyn Nets - Carter Bryant, F, Arizona
After moving in the opposite direction at the NBA Draft Lottery, I'd expect that the Brooklyn Nets are going to try to make a bold move at the draft. One way they could accomplish that is by targeting a huge, high-ceiling prospect like Carter Bryant. As a potential two-way star, Bryant will need some time to develop as he makes the jump to the NBA. He has all the tools to evolve into a great player down the line.
9. Toronto Raptors - Khaman Maluach, C, Duke
As we've gotten closer and closer to the 2025 NBA Draft, the hype surrounding Khaman Maluach has certainly dwindled a bit. It's not that surprising considering how deep this draft class is. However, that could certainly help work in the favor of a team like the Toronto Raptors. As a near-perfect-fitting big, Maluach could be everything the Raptors need as they look to continue to set the foundation for the future.
10. Houston Rockets (via PHO) - Egor Demin, F, BYU
The Houston Rockets may have some high hopes of landing a star player this offseason, but in the meantime, it would be smart for them to explore every possibility leading up to the 2025 NBA Draft. That means finding the right prospect that could theoretically help them take a step forward next season. With the way the board has fallen in this mock draft, Egor Demin could be that player for them.
11. Portland Trail Blazers - Derik Queen, F, Maryland
As the Portland Trail Blazers continue to build on the momentum they built during the second half of this past season, Derik Queen could be in range to fly off the board at this point in the lottery. It could be a polarizing decision with Donovan Clingan already on the roster, but they're such different types of players that I can't help but wonder if there's a path toward them coexisting on the same team.
12. Chicago Bulls - Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Is there a scenario in which Kasparas Jakucionis falls to the Chicago Bulls at No. 12? If that were to happen, there's no question that the Bulls should run to turn in their draft card. There are real questions about Jakucionis as he prepares to make the leap to the NBA level, but the promise is also very much evident. Jakucionis could make a lot of sense for Chicago, even if they decide to re-sign Josh Giddey.
13. Atlanta Hawks (via SAC) - Danny Wolf, C, Michigan
I feel fairly confident in the idea that the Atlanta Hawks are probably going to take a flier on a big man at some point in the first round of the NBA Draft. Could they decide to take on a more versatile one than one that may be more traditional? If so, Danny Wolf could emerge as a sneaky target for the Hawks with the No. 13 overall pick. A prospect who showed the ability to do a little of everything on the offensive end of the court, Wolf could easily emerge as a late lottery pick.
14. San Antonio Spurs (via ATL) Thomas Sorber, C, Georgetown
If the San Antonio Spurs don't trade this pick as part of a bigger move, I fully expect them to take a shot on the potential of a two-big pipe dream scenario. With Victor Wembanyama already in place, Thomas Sorber could emerge as a pretty strong target for the Spurs. As an underrated big that proved a strong ability to play within himself, Sorber could be a natural fit in San Antonio.
15. Oklahoma City Thunder (via MIA) - Nique Clifford, G, Colorado State
The Oklahoma City Thunder could look to add a ready-to-contribute prospect like Nique Clifford heading into the 2025 NBA Draft. With the need to make some big decisions regarding some of their supporting cast on the horizon, adding a player like Clifford could pay dividends to the team sooner rather than later.
16. Orlando Magic - Collin Murray-Boyles, F, South Carolina
Many seem to assume that the Orlando Magic are automatically going to take a guard with this pick. Sure, they could have find value in a pass-first lead guard, but with a player as talented and versatile as Collin Murray-Boyles still on the board at this point in the first round, perhaps this is not the place to pass on him. Compared to a poor man's Draymond Green, Murray-Boyles could be an intriguing addition to the Magic's core.
17. Minnesota Timberwolves (via DET) - Joan Beringer, C, France
With the whispers that the Minnesota Timberwolves could end up parting ways with Rudy Gobert, perhaps even as part of the package for Kevin Durant, Joan Beringer could emerge as an intriguing option for the Wolves. As a player who is rising of late because of his impressive physical skill set and measurements, Beringer could be the exact developmental big that the Wolves need to add to their farm system.
18. Washington Wizards (via MEM) - Noah Penda, F, France
Taking another flier on a talented prosepct, the Washington Wizards could look to the defensive end of the floor for their selection here at No. 18. That's where Noah Penda is going to provide the most value for the Wizards initially, but if he can develop offensively, the sky is the limit for the versating forward. With two selections in the first round, the Wizards should be able to add two more valuable pieces to their current rebuild.
19. Brooklyn Nets (via MIL) - Noa Essengue, F, France
Noa Essengue is another player who could emerge as a value pick for the Brooklyn Nets. He hasn't had the best pre-draft process, as his draft stock has steadily fallen over the last few months. The hope is that he will still be a late first-round selection, and the argument could be made that landing on a team like the Nets would be as close to a best-case scenario for Essengue. He'd be able to develop in the shadows for a couple of seasons.
20. Miami Heat (via GS) - Cedric Coward, G, Washington State
There's a very real chance that if the Miami Heat ends up missing out on Kevin Durant that they'll have to resort to a very unproven strategy heading into the NBA Draft with the No. 20 pick. Even though they've proven to have a good draft record recently, finding a difference-making prospect at this point in the first round would be increasingly difficult. One prospect who could make sense as a high-ceiling player with much promise is Cedric Coward.
Even though he's emerged as a late riser in recent mocks, there are still plenty of questions about his potential and development heading into the next level. In the Heat's system, there's a chance he could blossom into a star, though. That's what the Heat would be betting on with his unique and late-blooming two-way potential. He's not a prototypical prospect the Heat generally takes a chance on, but it may have to be the path forward for the team, especially if they can't make any other splash moves this offseason.
21. Utah Jazz (via MINN) - Rasheer Fleming, F, Saint Joseph's
Hoping that Tre Johnson (the team's earlier pick in the first round of this mock draft) becomes the team's much-needed answer on the offensive end of the floor, the Utah Jazz could look to take another flier on a much more all-around prospect. Rasheer Fleming could be a potential answer for the team late in the first round. As an experienced wing player, Fleming could be an immediate contributor for the Jazz.
22. Atlanta Hawks (via LAL) - Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State
If the Atlanta Hawks want to explore the potential addition of an offensive-minded guard, Jase Richardson could be a potential answer. Richardson had his moment in the sun as a draft prospect, but the questions surrounding his size are likely going to leave teams at least somewhat hesitant in selecting him. I'm not sure how the dynamic would work with Richardson in the backcourt, but he'd certainly give the team some added depth and flexibility heading into the future.
23. Indiana Pacers - Liam McNeeley, F, UCONN
As a highly-touted prospect coming out of high school, Liam McNeeley left much to be desired during his freshman season at UCONN. It will be interesting to see what the interest is surrounding him heading into the NBA Draft, but the Indiana Pacers could be considered a great addition for a team that could be looking to defend their title next season. If McNeeley still hasn't hit his ceiling as a prospect, the Pacers could be getting a huge steal.
24. Oklahoma City Thunder (via LAC) - Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida
To be perfectly honest, it's not ideal for the Oklahoma City Thunder to have a second first-round pick, but taking a chance on an accomplished player like Walter Clayton Jr. could be worth the gamble. During his run to an NCAA Championship, there was not a player more dynamic than Clayton Jr. If he can be even a fraction of the player he was for Florida, there's no question he can carve out a role for an NBA team in the future.
25. Orlando Magic (via DEN) - Ben Saraf, G, Israel
After taking one of the most versatile players in the NBA Draft with their earlier pick, the Orlando Magic could take a gamble on a guard who could emerge as a foundational piece heading into the future. Ben Saraf has good size for a lead guard and is considered a masterclass with the ball in his hands. If he can continue to hone his skills on that end of the floor, he could truly emerge as a difference-making player for Orlando in the future.
26. Brooklyn Nets (via NY) - Nolan Traore, G, France
After taking a chance on two athletic wings earlier in the first round of the NBA Draft, the Brooklyn Nets could find value with a playmaking guard with significant upside. That's what Nolan Traore could offer the Nets at this point in the first round. A guard with the potential to emerge as a complete player in a few years, the Nets would be taking a measured gamble here.
27. Brooklyn Nets (via HOU) - Will Riley, F, Illinois
Looking to add another two-way talent with promise heading into the future, Will Riley could be considered a quality risk for the Brooklyn Nets late in the first round. At his peak, Riley could emerge as a quality 3-and-D contributor. On a team that is looking to establish a new foundation, Riley could be considered a potential part of the next era of Nets basketball. With a bevy of first-round picks, Riley is another candidate who could flourish in Brooklyn.
28. Boston Celtics - Asa Newell, C, Georgia
As the Boston Celtics explore their own potential big changes this offseason, it will be interesting to see how the team proceeds forward with this No. 28 pick. With a potential hole in the frontcourt, especially considering Al Horford's uncertain future with the team, targeting a prospect like Asa Newell could be worthwhile for the Celtics. A player who had some promise during his freshman season at Georgia, Newell still has some maturing to do in his individual game.
29. Phoenix Suns (via CLE) - Drake Powell, G, North Carolina
Leaving much to be desired during his freshman season at North Carolina, there's reason to believe that Drake Powell could end up being a much better pro than he was in college. The Phoenix Suns could look to take that gamble as they explore how to pivot away from their current team build. Assuming they're going to land an additional draft asset in a potential Kevin Durant trade, this No. 29 pick could be considered a luxury selection for the team. Why not take a flier on a high-ceiling prospect like Powell?
30. LA Clippers (via OKC) - Adou Thiero, F, Arkansas
Even though they haven't made much noise yet, the LA Clippers are clearly in the market to improve their roster. Whether they'll be able to do it via trade or free agency remains to be seen, but adding the right player in the first round of the NBA Draft could be a quality tactic for the team. Adou Thiero could be the right versatile and hard-nosed player that the Clippers may need to explore this offseason.