The Miami Heat have numerous directions they could take in the NBA Draft in two weeks. They currently hold the No. 20 pick, which originally belonged to the Golden State Warriors. Miami's original 2025 1st round pick is now in the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 15.
Sandwiched between where Miami would have picked and where they are going to pick (if they keep the pick at all) are the Orlando Magic at No. 16, who might have their eyes on a player ESPN thinks would be Miami's best value at No. 20.
Jase Richardson might not make it to Miami at No. 20
In a recent ESPN mock draft, they broke down who they thought would be the player that filled the biggest need for each team and the player who would give the respective pick the best value.
For Miami, they said guard Ben Saraf from Germany would fill the biggest need. They said Jase Richardson would provide the best value to the Heat.
Richardson is the son of former NBA star Jason Richardson and was a freshman at Michigan State this past season. When we profiled the 6-foot-3 guard a couple of weeks ago, we said:
"On film, there is a lot to like about Richardson's bag of tricks to score. He is an outstanding catch-and-shoot player, but he also looks comfortable attacking the basket off the dribble. Richardson had an NBA-like finish at the rim this year with the Spartans, where he would either switch hands at the rim, stop and fade, or give a little floater to get the ball in the hoop.
And for someone who likes to drive to the rim, he didn't turn the ball over much and had an assist-to-turnover ratio of two to one."
There is just one tiny problem with wanting to grab Richardson at No. 20: ESPN says that Richardson would fill the biggest need for the Orlando Magic at No. 16.
In a lot of ways, the Magic and the Heat have similar needs heading into the draft. Scoring was a major issue for both teams in 2024-25. In Orlando's case, especially after Jalen Suggs went down with an injury, they fell to the bottom of the NBA in points per game and in three-point shooting.
And it's not to say that even if Orlando takes Richardson at No. 16, there won't be someone else available to fit Miami's needs. But Richardson is high on our list, and it would be nice if he could fall to Miami.