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2024 NBA Draft: 7 Possible Second Round Prospects To Monitor For Heat

Second Round
The Miami Heat own one second-round pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. (Photo Courtesy of UCLA Athletics)

The 2024 NBA Draft is less than a week away! The Miami Heat own one first-round (No. 15) and second-round (43) in the two-day event, which tips off on June 26.

Roughly a month ago, I delved into six potential first-round prospects–who weren’t mocked to Miami by pundits–to monitor. Now that we’re a week from the second-round tipping off, let’s dive into seven second-prospects to keep an eye on!

(Editor’s note: The list below is in no specific order relative to want or need. This information is also NOT sourced or in relation to who the Heat have worked out, which you can check out here.)

Harrison Ingram, F, UNC

After spending two seasons at Stanford, Ingram had a career year at North Carolina. He averaged 12.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 32.8 minutes per game. Ingram developed into a capable 3-point shooter, knocking down 38.5 percent of his 4.6 triple tries (44.6 3PAr). Though he’ll have to prove his two seasons at Stanford (31.6 3p%; 3.5 3PA) were an aberration.

Ingram, standing at 6-foot-7 with a 7-foot wingspan) is an exceptional rebounder for his size–sporting a 20.1 defensive rebounding percentage and a 14.5 rebounding percentage in 203-24. He’s not very explosive vertically, but is very physical when attacking the lane and showed flashes of a low-post game last year. Ingram projects to be a 3-and-D body, and in today’s NBA, you could never have enough of those.

Adem Bona, C, UCLA

If there was a motor scale from 1 to 10, Bona’s is a 20. That may be underselling it. He’s undersized for a center at 6-foot-9, but owns a 7-foot-4 wingspan with a 9-foot standing that he every bit of to his advantage. Bona’s also one of the most athletic bigs in this class, flashing a combine-best 35-inch standing vertical with a 40-inch max vertical at the combine.

That showed up on his tape, too; it wasn’t any fluke. He averaged 12.4 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in 26.5 minutes per game last year. He was a two-time All-Pac-12 All-Defensive big and won the league’s Defensive Player of the Year in 2023-24, sporting their second-best block percentage with a top-15 steal percentage. He’s very scheme-versatile defensively and is a nightmare to deal with when he has a head of steam offensively. Bona doesn’t exactly have the skillset of one, but he moves like he’s a 6-foot-4 guard. He’ll need to improve his shooting range, but he drastically improved his free-throw percentage and mid-range touch as a sophomore.

Jonathan Mogbo, F, San Francisco

Mogbo, 22, who played at four schools in four collegiate seasons, is one of the better players that many may not know about.

He may be the best playmaking big in this class, averaging 3.6 assists with a 24.5 assist percentage (!!) in his lone season at San Francisco. The Dons ran offense through him, and he was elite at pinpointing shooters/cutters and initiating offensive above-the-break or at the nail. He’s another undersized big who needs to space the floor, but he’s another high-motor 6-foot-8 athlete who makes smart decisions and rebounds at a very high level.

He plays four inches bigger than he is when he gets to the lane and I trust his decision-making with the rock in his hands. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Heat took a second-round flier on him. Mogbo’s pretty fluid with his movements and could leverage his unique skillset to potentially crack an NBA rotation at some point down the line.

Pelle Larsson, G, Arizona

We don’t know what the Heat’s offseason plan entails. Nobody knows. But should they move on from at least one of Tyler Herro or Duncan Robinson, Larsson could be a player to help supplement production. His counting stats–12.8 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists–don’t jump off the whiteboard. But Larsson was one of Arizona’s top glue guys and one of the Pac-12’s most efficient 3-point shooters.

Larsson was the only player in the country to total 1,200 points, 500 rebounds, 300 assists and 100 steals while shooting at least 49 percent from the floor and 39 percent from the 3-point range from 2020-24. He was a smart, comfortable decision-maker as a secondary creator; he was also very comfortable running off screens, relocating and spotting up off-ball. Larsson wasn’t the perfect defender, but he wouldn’t be afraid to take on tough-er assignments and play both ends.

If you’re looking for a complementary, big guard who can be a secondary/tertiary creator, Larsson is as good of an option as there will be in the second round.

Dillon Jones, F, Weber State

I know, I cheated. I included Jones–a consensus second-round prospect–in the first-round “prospects to monitor” list too. Sue me!

Let’s just say that he’s way more realistic to be a second-rounder than a first-rounder–even though I’m admittedly high on him as a prospect. Here’s what I wrote about him previously:

“Jones isn’t the most athletic prospect in the class, but the 6-foot-6 tweener was one of the most productive players in college basketball last season. He led the Big Sky in defensive rebounding percentage four straight seasons–finishing with the third-highest defensive rebounding percentage in NCAA History over his career, per Stathead. In 2023-24, he also led in defensive win shares, total win shares, player efficiency rating (PER), box plus-minus and points produced last year.

Being such a high-usage player in college against weaker competition, I’m interested to see how Jones adjusts to the next level. Though he played in the two scrimmages at the combine and was quite impressive with his nose for the basketball, especially defensively–hounding lead guards at the POA with good dexterity and screen navigation. He was an inconsistent 3-point shooter at Weber State, but I think a role more suited off-ball could benefit those percentages.

He has good strength and is fluid in the open court and in traffic. Perhaps he falls to No. 43, but I think he could be a prospect that rises up draft boards as late June approaches.”

KJ Simpson, G, Colorado

Full disclosure: I don’t expect Simpson to be available in this range. If there was one player on this list that I think is the likeliest to be gone, I think it’s Simpson. But he’s one of my favorite guards in this class. He’s not the biggest guard ever, but he was an exceptional 3-point shooter with a lightning-quick release and good lift.

Like Ingram, he’s going to have to prove his one great shooting season wasn’t a fluke. He shot 43.4 percent on 4.9 attempts (35.5 3PAr) as a junior; he shot a combined 26.9 percent on 3.3 attempts (33.3 3PAr) in his first two seasons. That’s a stark difference. But Simpson, who has fluid shot mechanics with a high release point, shot 79.8 percent from the free-throw line in his first two seasons and 87.6 percent from the free-throw line as a junior on reasonable volume. There were indications it’d improve.

He’s also a very good floor general. Simpson was comfortable operating on- and off-ball in Colorado’s offense alongside Tristan da Silva, Cody Williams–a pair of projected first-rounders–plus J’Vonne Hadley. He knows when to attack and when to not attack. He was good in the pick-and-roll and could be a decent point-of-attack defender, despite being undersized at 6-foot-1.

Jamal Shead, G, Houston

You could make the case that Shead is the best guard defender on this class. He’s yet another small guard who wouldn’t quite solve Miami’s “lack of size” conundrum, but I would consider Shead with the No. 43 pick if the Heat went with a (big) wing or backup big at No. 15.

Shead brings a tenaciousness that’s unrivaled in this class. He was the Big 12 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, averaging 12.9 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.2 steals on 49.5 percent true shooting. The Heat have a history of going after smaller guards who are very good at the point-of-attack–Sup, Briante Weber and Marcus Garrett–but Shead has far more ball-skills with both of them.

He developed into a legitimately good point guard with good decision-making and leadership. Shead was the heartbeat of Houston’s 32-5 season. He’s got a bulldog mentality on the court who’s not afraid to stick his teeth into bricks. Miami likes that.

***

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Reality Czech

SunMan, can you post the link to the below mailbag article from AUCH? I have difficulty doing it from my iPad. It addresses both sides of the issue and other stuff too.

Heat offseason mailbag: Should Miami trade Jimmy Butler sooner rather than later?

Reality Czech

Thanks!

SunManFromDogBone

😉

SunManFromDogBone

Time for Riley to s**t or get off the pot is now RC!

Riley must make the decision soon, or the Heat could find themselves in one of the league’s most unfortunate situations.”

https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/should_the_miami_heat_prioritize_moving_on_from_jimmy_butler/s1_16619_40518138

Reality Czech

We agree and disagree on many issues, but I think there’s something we all can agree on. The Heat cannot do what it did with Lillard last year, wasting precious time waiting for a player, Mitchell or otherwise, that comes to naught. If a team is willing to make a trade, great. If they drag their feet, move on and find a good deal elsewhere before all other good players are gone.

SunManFromDogBone

Absolutely!

Does Riley have a vision for the team beyond the trade deadline or is he going to use the “wait and see” approach…again? Waiting around and hoping to catch a whale hasn’t worked out too well for Miami the past few seasons.

If Riley is going to do something significant this year, he should strike quickly while the iron is still hot and assets are still available.

I have several questions. Here are a few:

  • Is Butler staying or going?
  • Is Herro staying or going?
  • Is Duncan staying or going?
  • Who is Miami’s #1 draft target?
  • If trades are being contemplated, who are the team’s top targets?

Hopefully, some of these questions will be answered in the near future.

Big_guy305

I’m interested to see what Riley has in store for us. This upcoming season is important for him. He can’t just run it back with the same team because that would be stupid, if he does then he has to retire, hopefully that doesn’t happen. If he does run it back, he gotta trade herro, and duncan, to get Jimmy, and bam help. Or trade Jimmy along with herro and duncan, so we can retool/rebuild for the future. I can’t wait to see what the godfather does.

HHHFAN4Life

Not making a major move this year and heads need too roll whether it’s pat, spo doing what Stevens did in Boston a few years back and even to Micky selling the team or majority ownership/stake in the team.

oregoner

it’s a funny thing. Everyone wants the Heat to make a move. But every move is not good enough. Fans need to decide whether they’re willing to settle for a non-all-star player, or whether they want to run it back with Jimmy Buckets one more year. Otherwise, the only other option is to zero in on an all-star and hope for the best.

SunManFromDogBone

It keeps coming down to Edey, if he is still available. With a mobile PF, like Bam can be, it could definitely work!

https://www.si.com/nba/heat/miami-heat-could-find-size-skill-with-purdue-s-zach-edey-at-no-15-in-nba-draft-01j0p63xqy99

oregoner

Rumors say Jimmy Butler will almost certainly be traded this offseason. Mikal Bridges and Brandon Ingram both seem like they’re available. Brooklyn showed some interest in Tyler Herro last season. There’s a lot of options on the table. Excited to see what the Heat do this offseason.

oregoner

I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the Heat get into the Paul George sweepstakes

SunManFromDogBone

Very bad choice. He’s 34 and has averaged 52.6 games played per season since 2019. Heat need someone young and healthy to replace Butler.

Sundayafternoons

Alright I’ll jump in the mud:

Ingraham plus things for Jimmy

Herro plus the things from Nola for Bridges.

World Domination.

SunManFromDogBone

You mean Ingram? He’s averaged less than 60 games played per year in his 8 year NBA career. Bridges from Nola? Who is this Bridges you speak of?

Reality Czech

Miles Bridges, I assume, from Charlotte, not Pelicans.

SunManFromDogBone

Or Bridges from Brooklyn.

Reality Czech

I happen to have one for sale if you’re interested 😀

Sundayafternoons

No it’s a two step process because Brooklyn isn’t trading Mikal Bridges for Herro straight up, and Jimmy is just a better player than B.I. Was it really anymore complicated than those 15 team trades y’all be cooking up?

Checks a lotta boxes for me. Pretty solid team, probably lacking in that crunch time shot creation still.

But really, unless JJJ and Jokic improve substantially we’re not just one move away (as oregoner said on another thread).

Reality Czech

Darn those Panthers. One more game to avoid history and humiliation.

SunManFromDogBone

SUNMAN’S 5-TEAM TRADE BETWEEN MIAMI, CLEVELAND, HOUSTON, UTAH AND DETROIT

COMING SOON…

Last edited 4 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
SunManFromDogBone

OK…HERE GOES…FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH…

SUNMAN’S 5-WAY TRADE BETWEEN MIAMI, CLEVELAND, HOUSTON, UTAH AND DETROIT
 
Cleveland Receives:
D. Brooks, Jalen Green, Jeff Green, J. Tate, 2024 #3 pick from Houston,
future 1st RD pick from Houston
 
Houston Receives:
Jimmy Butler
 
Detroit Receives:
Duncan Robinson
 
Utah Receives: Tyler Herro
 
Miami Receives:
Donovan Mitchell, Max Strus, Isaiah Stewart, John Collins
 
Miami Drafts: 1st Rd – Zach Edey, 2nd Rd – Ingram, Magbo, Larsson,
Shead?
 
Miami Starters:
Rozier, Mitchell, Strus, Collins, Bam
Miami 2nd Unit:
JRich, Jaquez, Jovic, Stewart, Edey
Miami reserves:
Wright, Williams, Swider, Cain, ORobinson or Bryant or 15th pick

The money works and Miami keeps it’s draft picks.

Last edited 4 months ago by SunManFromDogBone
Reality Czech

If they’re willing, we’re willing! But I do think Detroit will want more, possibly a future pick or a throw in like our other Robinson.

SunManFromDogBone

2024 2nd rounder or Bryant?

Reality Czech

If Bryant opts in, yes.

vagibugi

hat happens with length? Oh, yes, its in 2nd unit.
So, there would be a starting midget lineup, and giant 2nd unit.
One for small, the other for big teams. Brilliant.

SunManFromDogBone

The “midget” line-up would be taller than the small ball line-up Miami has had for the last few years with players susch as Crowder, Tucker, and Martin starting at PF. With this proposed roster, Spo would have lots of mix & match combinations to play and there would be plenty of competition for minutes as players such as Jaquez, Jovic, Edey and Stewart continue to develop.

vagibugi

Just kidding.
But really, starting lineup you proposed is really small, and bench really long. A good mix of both could work.

But of course, I disagree with any trade involve Mitchell and/or Collins.

SunManFromDogBone

Players like Collins, Kuzma and others have demonstrated in past years they can play defense. I think Miami’s environment would do wonders for their defensive games. I would personally prefer a two-way SG such as Dejounte Murray, but that may not be possible.

SunManFromDogBone

At worst, Edey is a back-up center. At best, he’s a monster in the paint. Hell yes! Go for it! Especially if Riley has no intention of trading Butler (at least until the deadline)!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/miami-heat-could-find-size-skill-with-purdue-s-zach-edey-at-no-15-in-nba-draft/ar-BB1oEX0Q?ocid=hpmsn&cvid=47af2388fa02406593ddc18c2839e721&ei=58

Reality Czech

I don’t like the idea of trading up in this draft. I’d consider trading down though, for Toronto’s 19 and 31.
I saw a proposal of Duncan and #15 for Sexton. I like Sexton, have no problem moving Duncan, but not sure how to feel about it. Your thoughts?

vagibugi

I m not sure, but it seems to me the same type of player then Rosier. And not very good defender.
I wouldnt say that he is exactly what we need.

Big_guy305

Nah I wouldn’t do that, sure he’s a good scorer, but that’s about it, he too small, so he would have be a 6th man. I rather trade Duncan and the 15 pick for a 2 way big, or save them for someone better.

2qbn

Yeah agree on 6th man. That would be if you wanted Herro to be 6th man again but felt bad asking him to do it again. At that point you trade him and Terry starts and Sexton off the bench. That being said, I would not do it.

SunManFromDogBone

Sexton doesn’t move the needle. Collins or Markkenan would be better trade targets.

Reality Czech

Assuming we keep the draft picks, let’s state up front what players we’d like them to take at 15. This way, we eliminate the 20/20 hindsight people who say after the fact that Riley and brain trust screwed up by taking player X before player Y.
For example, my 3 tiers:
Tier 1 – Carter, Topic (both probably gone before 15)
Tier 2 – Ware
Tier 3 – in no particular order – Collier, Edey, McCain
There is a lot to like in this range besides these – DaSilva, Missi, Dillingham, Holmes, Shannon. No game changer at the top, but pretty deep overall.

Big_guy305

I honestly would be happy with any of these players, they all possess at least 2 skills that would translate to the nba. Also none of them would be a reach.

Sundayafternoons

I’m not informed enough to really have an opinion.

But I will say, unless any center can dribble, pass, and shoot effectively then I’m out on them. Unless something happens to the rest of the roster we’re not gonna be the 2020 Lakers, we see Cleveland’s 2-big lineups haven’t been all that effective, and love him or hate him but KAT is legitimately a top tier shooter.

Why waste a pick on a player archetype we’ve shown can be found for minimal resources every single year, and rarely plays meaningful minutes when we reach the playoffs?

That’s my two cents

heat for life

man caruso would be nice in a heat uni pat and sunman asleep at the wheel

SunManFromDogBone

Don’t blame me. Pat doesn’t want to cough up that modest work-from-home contract I’ve been asking for. Miami’s loss is OKC’s gain. Oh well. Pat better not let too many more of those slip by or we gonna have to ship his ass to Detroit.

Big_guy305

Speaking of Detroit, they’re currently evaluating the market for beef stew. I think that would be a good potential pick up for us, a pf/c, that guard multiple positions, can rebound at a decent clip, and space the floor, spo would really unlock him. I think he can be easily had to for duncan and a first. Also since caruso got traded, that means lavine is next, which probably means a rebuild, so demar, and vucevic will probably be traded too, so different options are starting to open up for us.

SunManFromDogBone

They need 3 point shooting. Duncan and 43rd pick should do it.

2qbn

Oh lord. We’re going to do this shit on every trade, aren’t we?

Caruso is eligible for a 4 year $80 million dollar contract in six months. We’re not going to freaking give Caruso $80 million. Tranquilo

SunManFromDogBone

Just making light conversation until we find out what happens with free agents, draft picks and where Butler is getting traded.

https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nba_insider_predicts_miami_heat_will_trade_jimmy_butler_this_offseason/s1_16619_40513587

vagibugi

This trade seems to me as a double self harm.
Caruso is a good player, but he is not better then Giddey.
Both will be too expensive very soon.

But Lonzo Ball seems to be available.

Maybe Heat should take a risk with him.. the same type as with Oladipo.

Reality Czech

If he was a free agent at the minimum on a 1 year deal? Maybe. But with $21 million owed for this upcoming season? No, that would be insane. He hasn’t played since 2022.

vagibugi

Agree. But he might agree a buyout. Then things could change.

Reality Czech

Yes, that would change everything.

Big_guy305

Caruso is better and more impactful, and an all nba defender. giddy has more potential and taller. Giddy was getting benched in playoffs, and shoots less then 24 percent from 3, when he’s guarded.

Last edited 4 months ago by Big_guy305
vagibugi

Yeah, he was a liability against Dallas. But, he is 21.
Caruso, well, his problem is, that he is a good defender, but not really good in anything else. And he is often injured.

Big_guy305

All say this and leave it that. If we trade away Jimmy and rebuild/retool, then I would’ve gone with giddy, but if we keep Jimmy I would go caruso to pair with Terry in the backcourt.

2qbn

Of this list I like Larrson and go back to the UCLA well for Bona.

I agree that KJ will be gone and probably in the 1st round.

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