The Miami Heat are placing a lot of stock in the upcoming NBA Draft.
Second place gets you nowhere. Especially in trades. The Miami Heat were claimed to have had the ‘second best’ offer to land Kevin Durant, who was traded to the Houston Rockets.
Heat fans were upset to miss out on Durant. It was reported by ESPN that Miami were reluctant to give up assets including the number 20 overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Nailing the pick is of crucial importance in the draft, so who are the Heat looking to add?
We can take some clues from HoopsHype’s workout tracker. Here are the top three ranked prospects to visit Miami…
- Age: 19
- College: Michigan State
- Position: Point Guard
- Height: 6ft 3″
- Nationality: USA
The son of former NBA star Jason Richardson, Jase Richardson is ready for his shot at the NBA. Opinion is split on where he could go in the draft, whether he is a late first round pick or early second rounder.
He had high praise from head coach Tom Izzo, who told The Alpena News: “There can’t be many guys that I’ve coached that are as efficient and as confident, not cocky, not arrogant.
“He’s been a freshman that has been very influential in Michigan State winning a Big Ten championship. That does not happen very often. It hasn’t over my whole career.”
- Age: 19
- College: Illinois
- Position: Small Forward
- Height: 6ft 9″
- Nationality: Canada
Riley is an intriguing prospect who won the Big 10 Sixth Man of the Year, who we have projected as a potential steal for whoever takes him in the draft.
Our projection recommends: “A team that needs scoring help, has room for patience, and an already-established defense would be a great landing spot.”
It is worth pointing out that Will Riley is no relation to Miami Heat president and Hall of Famer, Pat Riley.
- Age: 21
- College: Duke
- Position: Guard
- Height: 6ft 5″
- Nationality: Australian
Tyrese Proctor prides himself on being an all-rounder, which has helped him add value on a Duke team led by Cooper Flagg last season.
Speaking to HoopsHype earlier this year, Proctor explained: “I think I’ve done a great job defensively, leadership-wise, and stuff like that, but I feel underrated and overlooked as a scorer.
“However, I don’t pay too much attention to that; I’m just out there trying to make winning plays and win games. Whether I score 20 points one night or 5 points another, it’s just what I have to do to win.“
