We are roughly one month away from the 2025 NBA Draft. The two-day event tips off on June 25, with the Miami Heat owning the No. 20 pick in the first round–their lone pick of the draft. While they have never traded up in the first round in the Pat Riley era, there few prospects that I would consider trading up for if they fell past a certain range. Who are they? Let’s dive into it!
Tre Johnson, G, Texas
I can’t speak for what Philadelphia may or may not do, but if I were them, I’d take Tre Johnson No. 3 overall (or Edgecombe). I’ve pegged Johnson as a top-5 prospect for most of the season. The skill, measurables and the intel surrounding his work ethic are undeniable. The 19-year-old led the SEC in scoring last season (19.9 ppg), in addition to 3.1 rebounds and .27 assists per game on 42.7/39.7/87.1 shooting splits. As of right now, to me, his biggest weaknesses are his ball-handing (he needs to develop a more reliable left hand) and defense, though the latter isn’t for a lack of trying. If Johnson falls past the 5-6 range, I’d be picking up the phone if I were Miami to try and move up to draft him.
Kon Knueppel, G/F, Duke
A lot of the conversation around Duke was rightfully about Cooper Flagg, but Knueppel was their second-best player and doesn’t have many noticeable weaknesses outside of his lack of foot speed and sheer length (plus-1 wingspan). Knueppel was a deadeye shooter in his lone season at Duke, canning 40.6 percent of his 5.3 triples per game. He was physical defensively and had legitimate chops both as a secondary playmaker and rim pressurer; Knueppel did a good job creating off closeouts, even though he lacks an explosive first step. He’s smart and would fit well in the Heat system, so if he falls out of the top-8/10….
Jeremiah Fears, G, Oklahoma
Fears is supposed to be graduating high school right now, but he reclassified last summer and played out his lone season at Oklahoma, where he got better as the season went on. I still have questions about his shotmaking and capabilities as a point-of-attack defender due to his slender frame, Fears is one of the best playmakers in this class. I think his 85.1 three-throw percentage indicates potential growth in his jump shooting. Still, the 6-foot-3 guard had a crafty handle and crafty finishing ability (despite not being very efficient) with the ability to playmake with both hands. I think he’s more of a project, but one where the arrow is projecting up.
Kasparas Jakucionis, G, Illinois
Jakucionis does have athletic limitations that could limit his upside, but he’s one of the most productive guards in the 2025 class. He’s also one of the most well-rounded, in my opinion, though I could see why his lack of efficient long-range shooting (31.8 3P%, 5.2 3PA) could be a concern for some. He’s a flashy playmaker, has a strong base, good positional size and a physical playstyle that I think will be NBA-ready right away. He has a wide range of outcomes, but I am comfortable trading up for Jakucionis if he falls out of the top-10/12-ish range–given the Heat’s need for a true playmaking guard. He fits the bill.
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Based on Bleacher Report’s post-combine projections, following is a list of the players mentioned above, including projected draft rank and comparable past/present NBA players.
#5 Tre Johnson SG (comparable to Tyler Herro)
#6 Jeremiah Fears PG (Comparable to Dejounte Murray)
#8 Kon Knueppel SF (Comparable to Cam Johnson, Kevin Huerter, Saddiq Bey)
#11 Kaspaeras Jakucionis PG/SG (Comparable to Coby White)
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There are players in the 12-20 range which may be better fits. See attached.
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25193838-2025-nba-mock-draft-post-combine-predictions-pro-comps-cooper-flagg-analysis
Pat Riley got in the way of himself because of pride. He should’ve played his other players and not be so focused on winning to play in playoff games. Those two wins have caused him a top 10 pick that actually turned out to be the number one pick in the draft, great job Pat Hope pride satisfies long-term Miami Heat needs
Team will die if it can’t get anymore Tyler herro type players lmao we have enough of those and for some reason we’re clamoring for more, yet the 2 teams in the ecf have none of those yet Bos and the cavs relied heavy on them and we see where they are don’t we? In fact got beat as bad as Mia did. This team needs athletes 2 way athletes not these one way non athletic herro type players who would get destroyed by Indiana and the Knicks in a playoff series
It’s very easy to oversimplify and stereotype “certain types.” The two Western Conference semi-finalists playing today, OKC and Denver, have a few of “those types” of players.
Most of the better offensive players in the NBA are NOT good two-way players. To the extent possible, Miami should try to bring in players who excel at either offense or defense and are average or better on the other side of the ball. Just as one-way offensive players are liabilities on defense, one-way defensive players are liabilities on offense.
Therefore, Miami should NOT be considering drafting, trading for or recruiting free agents who are offensive one-ways/not good defenders, such as Young, Morant, Haliburton, Garland etc., or one-way defensive specialists, like Highsmith, unless they are on team friendly contracts.
Okc Chet and hartenstein 2 bigs…….den jokic and Braun 1 big and the other a wing. Mia Herro jjj Duncan pelle jovic love. One too many again I’m not apologizing for seeing and speaking my truth Mia has one too many, also love how you brought up west teams while skimming over pacers (one) and Knicks (none)
Don’t forget Caruso is on okc as well. I do agree with you that we have too many as such players, I think 3 should be the max for any team’s rotation as evidence from okc, but 4 is too much for the main rotation in my opinion. I think the real key for all 4 teams is either you have a lot of quality, athletic depth(okc,pacers) or strong starters all-around with at least 3 solid bench players since ( Knicks,Denver) run a shorter rotation. Even wolves can be in either of those molds.
“I’m not apologizing for seeing and speaking my truth Mia has one too many…
When did NBA impose a quota system?
You forgot OKC Caruso & Topic (injured). Denver Saric.