Today is the day! The 2024 NBA Draft is officially here!
As you’re probably well aware by now, the Miami Heat own the No. 15 and 43 picks in the draft. With the two-day event scheduled to tip off in a matter of hours, who do the pundits have the Heat taking? Let’s find out!
(Editor’s note: This is our fifth-and-final mock draft roundup of this year’s cycle–the most recent one being on June 12!)
ESPN (Jonathan Givony, Jeremy Woo):
No. 15: Carlton Carrington, G, Pittsburgh
“Rival teams expect the Heat to take a swing on a promising young guard, with Rob Dillingham, Isaiah Collier, Jared McCain and Carrington being among those mentioned most frequently.
His combination of size, length, shot-making prowess and passing creativity, along with his youth, intangibles and late-blooming trajectory is very intriguing to teams, even if he’s not as far along in his development as some players who are in this range.
Carrington will need time and seasoning to be ready to play meaningful NBA minutes, but versatility and feel for the game gives him a high ceiling in a draft lacking somewhat in that department.”
No. 43: Jamal Shead, G, Houston
Yahoo Sports (Krysten Peek):
No. 15: Nikola Topic, G, Serbia
“Miami would have to be patient with Topić and his recovery after he suffered a partially torn ACL injury at the end of the season in Serbia. He likely won’t fall past 18 to Orlando, where his dad is in the front office as an international scout. But the Heat have winning pieces right now and could be getting a steal at 15 for a player that was a projected top 5 pick all season long.”
No. 43: Keshad Johnson, F, Arizona
“Johnson, a fifth-year senior out of Arizona, can bring experience to a team and come in right away with any second unit and be productive. He shot 39% from 3 this past season and averaged under two turnovers his entire college career.”
CBS Sports (Kyle Boone):
No. 15: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
“Questions about Dillingham’s size and defensive potential may push Dillingham out of the lottery but it’s unlikely he falls far. He’s an electric offensive weapon who can get hot in a hurry and be an engine of an offense.”
No. 43: Keshad Johnson, F, Arizona
“One of the most explosive forwards in the class. He’s an older prospect who spent five years in college, but he consistently got better each year, culminating with a career final season with Arizona.”
New York Post (Brian Lewis):
No. 15: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
“Coming off a gentleman’s sweep in the first round of the playoffs, Miami needs scoring and youth.
Edey, 22, could step right in with a small learning curve and offer a different look to Bam Adebayo’s rim rolling.
He has a 7-10 ½ wingspan and averaged a gaudy 25.2 points for Purdue.
Yes, Edey’s defense might limit him to being a role player, but when that role is post-up scoring, screening for Jimmy Butler and finishing, Miami could do worse.”
NBC Sports (Raphielle Johnson)
No. 15: Zach Edey, C, Purdue
“After reaching the NBA Finals last season, the Heat failed to get out of the first round, as the “Play-In tournament” magic wasn’t available this time. The acquisition of Terry Rozier didn’t have much of an impact due to his going down with an injury. At the same time, Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro also missed extended periods last season. Where will the Heat look on draft night? Edey would be a worthwhile option, even with Bam Adebayo firmly entrenched as the starting center. The 7-foot-4 big man out of Purdue is one of the most accomplished players in this draft class, and he tested reasonably well at the NBA Draft Combine. There are questions regarding how Edey’s game will translate defensively, but he makes for a tough matchup on the other end.”
No. 43: Jamal Shead, G, Houston
SB Nation (Ricky O’Donnell):
No. 15: Isaiah Collier, G, USC
Bleacher Report (Jonathan Wasserman):
No. 15: Bub Carrington, G, Pittsburgh
“Bub Carrington’s stock feels hot right now, with teams questioning if he has a promise, and others asking if he’ll be there for them in the 20s.
He’s one of the draft’s youngest prospects, and he has positional size, serious shotmaking production and enough passing ability for teams to picture a point guard.
He didn’t get to the rim much, and a 1.0 steal rate highlights some real concerns over his quickness for a guard. But teams won’t overthink athleticism or numbers as much this late in this particular draft.”
No. 43: Jamal Shead, G, Houston
“Jamal Shead combined for 27 points and 10 assists in the two combine scrimmages, delivering the signature rim pressure, defensive toughness and playmaking we saw at Houston.
Questions about his height and shooting may limit his first-round interest, but there are sure to be teams that see second-round value based on the likelihood that his physical driving, passing instincts and relentless ball pressure translate.”
The Athletic (Sam Vecenie):
No. 15: Jared McCain, G, Duke
“McCain was seen as a potential one-and-done lottery prospect entering the season before a slow start made evaluators pause. However, over the last two-thirds of the season, McCain was one of the best freshman scorers in high-major college basketball. Starting with Duke’s Dec. 9 game against Charlotte, McCain averaged 16.2 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 assists over his last 28 games. He made 41.6 percent of his 6.4 3-point attempts per game during that span and consistently got into the lane in transition or when driving closeouts. I also thought he improved drastically on defense over his final 15 or so games.
Miami has a tendency to take whichever highly-ranked player falls to it on draft night. McCain would be an awesome weapon as a shooter within Erik Spoelstra’s offense. Other names I’ve heard for this pick from league sources include Edey, Tristan da Silva and Dillingham if he were to fall. Carter is unlikely to get here, but this is seen as his floor if he did.”
No. 43: Cam Spencer, G, UConn
The Ringer (Kevin O’Conner):
No. 15: Rob Dillingham, G, Kentucky
“Dillingham could go a lot higher than this, but the Heat could be one of his best possible fits. Dillingham’s dynamic scoring ability could be used in Miami.”
No. 43: Jalen Bridges, F, Baylor
“Bridges brings 3-and-D-style skills that could make sense for the Heat, whether or not they’re contending next season.“
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Here’s a rumor that would give me sleepless nights, indigestion, and agita (as the old NY Italians called it).
Trae Young for Herro, Duncan, 2024 first, and 2029 first.
I don’t imagine that is remotely possible, or at least hope it isn’t.
So, word is Butler is willing to play without the extension. If so, as previously mentioned, he isn’t going anywhere. Also, if the rumor of moving up to 9 is true, I have to believe it’s to get Carter if available, or Topic, which I think is a long shot. If Butler stays, they remain in win now mode. Carter fits that. I think Topic would be a longer term prospect.
Butler is on a prove it deal 😉
Yeah jumping up to 9 is Carter first then an Edey curveball.
Yup, Butler on a prove it deal benefits him and the team.
For those people who think that Edey is one of the slowest centers around take note.
Draft combine official agility, speed, and power numbers:
Zach Edey
Lane agility time: 11.19 seconds
Shuttle run: 3.01 seconds
Three quarter sprint: 3.42 seconds
Standing vertical leap: 26″
Max vertical leap: 31.5″
Donovan Clingan
Lane agility time: 12.06 seconds
Shuttle run: 3.38 seconds
Three quarter sprint: 3.46 seconds
Standing vertical leap: 25.5″
Max vertical leap: 29″
Edey beat him in every category despite being two inches taller and weighing 17 pounds more. The lane agility and shuttle run weren’t even close. Zach legitimately had the fourth and sixth-best times in those tests out of all the centers. Consider his size, stamina, and durability and he’s a legitimate athletic freak.
Edey’s lane agility numbers were also better than Olynyk’s, Portis, Jarret Allen’s, John Collins’, Naz Reid’s, Vucevic’s, Brook Lopez’s, Al Horford’s and more than a scond better than Gobert’s.
And Yes his agility numbers were even better than Bam’s.
So, while Edey is slow by nba guard standards he’s not at all slow by nba center’s standards.
Well made points.
Which is why he won’t be there at 15
Bleacher report has the worst most drafts. Two guards are you serious smh. Tell me you haven’t been watching miami without saying anything. We need 1 guard and 1 pf/c. I would be good with a guard or a 2 way combo forward tweener too, but 2 guards is a f grade from Me.
It all depends on who’s available. I haven’t seen one mock draft, or anyone post, that it will be two guards. If there were odds a wing and a guard would be favored as the two picks.
I will still say I would be stunned if Edey is there and they take him. That would be as much of a positive statement on what they think Edey could be compared to another team that would pick him.
I think all the talk about wanting a guard/wing player with the 15th pick is intended as misdirection to get attention off of Edey. If Martin and Highsmith walk, JRich, Love and Bryant opt in and Wright, ORobinson and G Leaguers are re-signed to two-way or regular NBA minimum contracts, the depth chart looks something like this:
PG: Rozier, JRich, Wright
SG: Herro, Duncan, Williams
SF: Butler, Jaquez, Swider,
PF: Jovic, Love, Cain
C: Bam, Bryant, ORobinson
If a decision is made to convert Bam to his natural position (PF), Miami will need to draft or trade for the best available (NBA ready) legitimate C to start alongside Bam. In that case, either Bryant or Robinson may become expendable. Furthermore, if the organization is unwilling to give Butler a maximum extension and wants a two-way SG to replace Herro, they will both need to be traded.
Bottom line: Until Miami demonstrates what direction they want to go with Bam, Butler and Herro, speculation about the draft priorities is premature. Especially if they want to keep Bam at C Butler at SF and Herro at SG.
I don’t think Edey makes it to 15. So having a backup plan wing/guard pick is prudent. There are also some good wings in 2nd round if for some reason Edey make it to 15 and he was the pick.
It’s going to be a wing or guard. I think losing Caleb, and possibly Highsmith, puts wing high on their list. Of course there will be surprises, trades and players dropping, so that will be taken into account when they pick. I have no idea but the Heat have been very good at the draft picking in this area the last several years.
It’s gotta be guard or center because I’m not worried about wings even if we lose caleb and Highsmith. We still gotta Jimmy for the time being, also jjj and jovic will get those minutes as well. Also you can’t forget Cain with a better offensively repertoire and close to the same defense as locksmith. Even jrich can play wing minutes, if needed.
Love Niko and think he wil be in the running for most improved, but in no way is he a modern day wing. There is no scenario I ask him to guard Tatum or Brown.
It sounds like Haywood and team working on bringing him back. That is good news as I think he plays really good defense and you can put him on Tatum or Brown for stretches.
One of the vlogs a couple of days ago reported they would be bringing Highsmith back. The number quoted on a 3 year contract seemed absurdly low, so I won’t repeat it here.
Your not giving niko enough credit tbh his defense grew at a good rate, and will only get better defensively especially with his length, his defense rating was 111.3 which pretty good. I’m pretty sure he can guard and play 3 – 5. He has the handles and the vision for it , can lead the fast Break too. He can guard Tatum because he’s slower and bigger and more of a jump shooter, but finals mvp brown might cook him, thats why i said guard 3-5. Also that is good news if we do get locksmith back 🔐, he’s one of our top defenders.
I’m not saying he can’t put up a fight here and there when there is switching, but his assignment won’t be to guard a wing most of the game like say Locksmith.
And how am I not giving him credit? I literally said he will be in the running for MIP all year. 🙂
Bold move by Knicks. Now Heat will need a vintage DWade to walk thru that door. Well folks that just ain’t happenin’.