Ranking Heat's best draft options to help solve embarrassing offensive woes

The Miami Heat could look to the NBA Draft to help fix the offense.
Apr 7, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots the ball as Houston Cougars guard Terrance Arceneaux (23) attempts a block during the second half of the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Apr 7, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) shoots the ball as Houston Cougars guard Terrance Arceneaux (23) attempts a block during the second half of the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Most people would seem to agree that if the Miami Heat were to draft based on need, they are going to target an upside scorer with the No. 20 pick. They also might trade the pick to land a superstar, but that's a whole different conversation.

Let's just pretend that all the rumors about landing Kevin Durant are just rumors, and Miami keeps its pick. The following are the five players who could realistically be available at No. 20 (so not Cooper Flagg) who would be the best pure scorers with upside the Heat could draft.

No. 5 - Ben Saraf, PG/SG, Ratiopharm Ulm (Germany)

The latest ESPN mock draft has the Heat grabbing the guard from Israel, who spent last year playing in Germany, and this would be a fine pick if they do.

Ben Saraf is 6-foot-6 and looks completely comfortable on the court when finishing at the rim.

What holds Saraf back is the fact that his three-point shooting was pretty poor this past season, and he would need to improve.

No. 4 - Nolan Traore, PG, Saint-Quentin (France)

In terms of which player would pair up best with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo, the point guard from France might be one of the better options in the draft. He is a solid pick-and-roll guy who can drive to the rim and kick out as needed.

The concern with Nolan Traore, like Saraf, is whether his shooting will be good enough to make opponents respect him on a pick-and-roll.

No. 3 - Nique Clifford, SG, Colorado State, Super Senior

There is a lot to like about Nique Clifford. He has a 6-foot-8 wingspan and shot 37 percent from three this past season while also bringing down 9.6 rebounds per game.

As a pure scorer, Clifford is going to be capable of putting up double-digit points right away. The concern for Clifford is the inverse of Traore in that his actual fit on the team would be a bit awkward.

No. 2 - Walter Clayton Jr., PG, Florida, Senior

This is 100 percent a homer pick based on someone who watched all of Walter Clayton's games while at Florida, but there is an "it" factor to Clayton that has to be valued in the NBA.

He shot 38 percent from three and wasn't afraid to put the team on his back when needed.

His draft stock has dipped, given concerns over his size, but if the Heat want a pure scorer, it will be hard to find someone better than Clayton at the No. 20 spot.

No. 1 - Jase Richardson, PG/SG, Michigan State, Freshman

There is a solid chance the Orlando Magic might beat Miami to the punch and grab Richardson with the No. 16 pick, but if he is available at No. 20 and all Miami cares about is getting someone who can score, it would be hard to pass Richardson up.

His style should translate well into the NBA, as he has a variety of ways to finish near the rim.

Also, having Jason Richardson as a father doesn't hurt his understanding of what it takes to make it in the NBA.