We are approximately one month away from the most exciting time of the college basketball season: The NCAA Tournament! The 2023-24 NBA All-Star break has arrived, so let’s discuss which (potential) 2024 NBA Draft Prospects are being linked to the Miami Heat!
Bleacher Report (Jonathan Wasserman; Feb. 13):
No. 16: Stephon Castle, G, UConn
“Opinions vary on Stephon Castle. Mixing productive games with quiet ones, he’s showing a mix of scoring physicality, playmaking at 6’6″ and defense, while questions about his creation quickness and shooting range continue to linger.
“He’s had some bigger games of late—including consecutive 20-point efforts—and Connecticut’s loaded roster can make it difficult for him to gets looks and reps consistently.
“Castle will have a wide draft range that could start in the late lottery if certain teams feel optimistic about his jumper’s potential to improve. Right now, it’s the passing, defense and finishing that feel most translatable.”
No. 45: Tyrese Proctor, G, Duke
“Tyrese Proctor has frustrated scouts by following up signs of improvement with lines like a 1-of-6 showing in a loss to North Carolina, but he’ll continue to look interesting for his positional size, shot-making potential and passing IQ.
“Teams could see a useful pick-and-roll operator and connector. The inconsistency for a second-year player has just weighed on scouts’ confidence.”
NBA Draft Room:
No. 16: Tyler Kolek, G, Marquette
“Kolek is one of the most productive and effective players in college basketball. While he might not have the elite physical attributes that you look for in a NBA prospect he’s got an elite feel for the game and a very high skill level. Has an uncanny ability to score in the lane, using great angles and timing. Kolek is a special passer with awesome court vision. He runs the offense well, operates ball screens with good feel and is a true facilitator and leader on the floor. He’s also a really good 3pt shooter who is even better in the clutch. Projects as a really good back up at the NBA level, with some starter potential.”
No. 45: Mackenzie Mgbako, F, Indiana
From the 2023 Nike Hoops Summit in April of 2023:
“He showed a level of aggressiveness and confidence that you want to see from big time scorers. The 6-8 wing has a feathery jumper, enough size and strength to bang in the paint and a knack for scoring the ball. He’s not the most heralded recruit but could be one of the better NBA prospects in this class, when it’s all said and done.”
No Ceilings (Nick Agar-Johnson; Feb. 14):
No. 16: Kevin McCullar Jr., G, Kansas
“The Miami Heat have traditionally not shied away from older prospects, whether that be Jaime Jaquez Jr. in the draft last year or the long line of undrafted free agents with years of college development under their belts who come to Miami with a defensive focus and a chip on their shoulder. With all of that in mind, Kevin McCullar to the Miami Heat is a near-perfect match of player and team. McCullar has been on the draft radar for years now as an elite defensive prospect on the wing, but he’s really put together the pieces of his offensive game at Kansas this season. McCullar is a good decision-maker who moves the ball well, and his improved shooting on solid volume (currently shooting 36.1% from deep on a career-high 4.4 attempts per game) makes it even easier to envision him fitting in as a key cog for the Miami Heat machine.”
No. 45: Trey Alexander, G, Creighton
Fansided (Christopher Kline; Feb. 14):
No. 15: Kevin McCullar, G, Kansas
“Miami opted for experience in the 2023 draft and it paid off. Kevin McCullar is one of the best wing defenders on the board, but the senior’s offensive leap has been the real storyline for top-10 Kansas. He’s hitting more 3s than ever, combined with a more demanding on-ball role that has allowed him to flourish as a slasher and facilitator. McCullar has the potential to contribute right away as a connective two-way wing for an aspirant contender.”
NBADraft.net (Feb. 12):
No. 16: Tidjane Salaun, F, France
Yardbarker (Pat Heery, Feb. 11):
No. 20: Jared McCain, G, Duke
“It’s never a bad thing to have depth at point guard in the NBA. With Kyle Lowry set to be a free agent (or retire) at the end of the season, there’s a good chance the Heat will be looking for another gritty guard like the one who helped them win the Eastern Conference last season, Gabe Vincent. Duke’s freshman Jaren McCain, like Vincent, is a tough-nosed guard who can play on-ball – though he will need to improve his playmaking, as well as off-ball as a shooter (42 percent from three on more than five attempts per game).”
CBS Sports (Gary Parrish; Feb. 9):
No. 15: Matas Buzelis, F, G-League Ignite
“Buzelis is the type of long prospect who can move all over the floor in ways that front offices really value these days. That he’s shooting below 30% from 3-point range for a terrible G League Ignite team is a bit of a concern, especially considering there have long been questions about whether Buzelis will ever truly be a knockdown shooter. But his positional versatility and ability to pass at his size should make the Chicago native close to a lock to go somewhere in the top 20.”
The Ringer (Kevin O’Connor; Jan. 24):
No. 17: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
“There isn’t a more dominant player in college basketball right now, but scouts are split on Edey’s NBA upside: He’s a 300-pound, non-shooting center with concerns about his ability to defend outside the paint. It would be fascinating to see what he could do in an organization like the Heat, who have one of the best strength and conditioning programs in the league and could maximize whatever Edey can become athletically.
“Hard-to-stop interior scorer, not just because of his sheer size but also because of his skill and touch. He does a great job of using his massive frame to seal off positioning and make himself available for interior feeds. He doesn’t have advanced footwork, but his gigantic presence is enhanced by his agility. … Willingly embraces his role, whether playing limited minutes as an underclassman or running the offense through him as a junior and senior. Playing for the Canadian national team last summer, he fully took on responsibility as a screener, something Purdue doesn’t ask of him as often as post-ups.
“Limited defender when pulled away from the basket. He struggles to recover on pick-and-pops and often gets blown by on closeouts. NBA teams will target him even more than college teams do; granted, he’s made improvements in handling pressure at his current level. … Lacks a perimeter game aside from his screening. Though he has soft touch on floaters and a solid free throw percentage for a big, there is no indication that he will develop a spot-up jumper.”
ESPN (Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo; Jan. 11):
No. 20: Yves Missi, C, Baylor
From Feb. 10:
“Missi’s production has fluctuated throughout the season, but his appeal is the impressive size, reach and verticality he offers as a pick-and-roll finisher. He has shown some flashes creating his own shot from the mid-post or high-post areas as well, using an explosive first step and long strides, helping him draw fouls consistently. Missi’s ability to make a more regular impact as a defender and rebounder are areas that will be scrutinized in the final weeks of the season, as he has been hit or miss protecting the rim and offering physicality on the interior, things he’ll have to do to play a role in the NBA early in his career.”
Tankathon (Feb. 3):
No. 16: Ryan Dunn, F, Virginia
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For Anyone looking for content during the all-star break, Brian Windhorst and The Hoop Collective Podcast did a segment about the Heat. And unlike a lot of national pods, they sound like they’ve actually been watching the team.
They think the Heat can beat anyone in the first round, but they should try to avoid the play-in. They think Terry and J-Rich are out for a while (hopefully back for the playoffs), which is why they signed DW IV. And they pointed out the Jimmy Butler era has lasted five years, which is longer than the Heatles, longer than Wade/Shaq, and about as long as Zo/Hardaway. Combine that with the salary cap situation, and they think changes are coming this offseason. More good stuff in there also, worth a listen.
The way it’s been reported, I think Rozier will be back sooner than later, maybe 1 to 2 weeks. J Rich probably will take considerably longer.
Bam alley oop on Giannis…prelude to a future?! lol
Bam out…so am i lol
Bam first score….3pts!
i dont usually watch ASG but Bam is starting in east so…
Yup im watching just because of that
Haliburton on fire 🔥 and bam hit a 3 lol
Heat signs Delon Wright.
https//:www.nba.com
On another note – I’ve read that the Heat may be one of the teams interested in Klay Thompson in free agency. Unless he comes on a value contract, and I doubt it, I say no thanks. 34 years old and showing signs of decline. It’s the opposite direction of where this team should be heading.
I could see him sliding into a Ray Allen role. I’m not saying they should pay him thirty million bucks, but I’d be happy adding Klay Thompson at the mid-level. But realistically, I doubt he leaves the Warriors
Totally agree. Be happy to have him at mid level, but that’s it.
i hope warriors keep him and klay sign much less coz he’s a shell of himself already
Meanwhile…
https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/39545795/heat-bam-adebayo-replace-joel-embiid-all-star-starter
Cool
On another note, does anyone know why the ‘latest posts’ are no longer directly under the newest post? Why are 2 stories dated February 12 above other more recent posts?
A glitch in the programming? Its been like that for me for a couple of months I think
It’s back to normal now
The 2 big centers would be intriguing prospects for the Heat, especially if Bam can expand his range. Both centers are lacking in certain skills, but the thought of a 7’4” 300 pound Edey (the Heat likely would get him closer to the 280 range I imagine) matching up against centers like Embiid and Jokic while Bam roams around the perimeter makes my toes tingle a little bit.
That does sound interesting getting a 7’4 dominant big paired with bam, if bam can expand his shot from 3 that would be a deadly combo. But like you said he would have to lose weight, and get into heat shape. So he would be a project like dexter Pittman. You say 280, but I’d rather have him at 275 lol. Definitely high risk, high reward type of player, if you get him in the 1st round, instead of 2nd, if it makes it there. I like that other center as well. Since he already shown mid-post scoring flashed and can guard perimeter adequately. Lastly, we got a lot of guards, so it’s funny that they give us so many guard options. But the guard I like the most from these options is probably kolek from Marquette. We do well with Marquette players wade,butler, Jae 99. Also he has great vision, passing, high bbiq, and can shoot the 3 at a pretty decent rate.
My experience is that when someone says they a player could turn their career around with Heat Culture, that is a red flag. I call it the Michael Beasley rule. Heat Culture isn’t about turning players into someone else, it’s about finding players that fit the culture.
I saw there is a switchable big man at Marquette that is projected to go at the end of the first round, that seems like a natural fit for the Heat. But I also don’t care about the draft until the playoffs are over. One thing is for sure, the Heat have proven their ability to find players later in the first round
I don’t recall pointing out a player that someone says “could turn their career around with Heat Culture.” It’s all speculation at this point as to who we get if, in fact, we get anybody (like if a trade is made). I enjoy the development process from the draft or the great success they’ve had with g league players.
I would say that Heat Culture is about finding Heat Culture in players, who already have Heat culture in them.