We are mere moments away from the 2025 NBA Draft, with a lot at stake for the Miami Heat despite them only having one pick in this year’s draft.
Since they swung and missed on Kevin Durant, who was traded to the Houston Rockets in a three-player, six-pick swap, Miami was able to keep the No. 20 pick in the NBA Draft.
The Heat have no shortage of needs heading into this summer that they must address, one of them being high-level two-way wing depth. Miami can still trade its No. 20 pick ahead of Wednesday’s selection. But, assuming the pick is kept, these three wings could provide instant two-way impact for the Miami Heat.
And while the Heat weigh their options, some fans are weighing their own—whether it’s draft predictions or rolling the dice at an online casino Brazil, where NBA fans can find entertainment during the wait.
Nique Clifford, Cedric Coward and Rasheer Fleming could provide instant two-way impact for Heat:
As always, there is no guarantee that these three players last until 20. Each players have compelling cases to be top-15 picks, especially Clifford and Fleming.
Clifford, admittedly one of the older prospects in the class at 23-years-old, has long been one of my favorites. He’s a late-blooming prospect, and averaged 18.9 points, 9.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals per game last year on 49.6 percent shooting, including 37.7 percent from 3-point range and 77.7 percent from the free-throw line.
A former teammate of current Heat guard Isaiah Stevens, Clifford is an improved shot creator and three-level scorer. While he’s a streaky 3-point shooter, Clifford’s 37.7 3-point percentage (3.9 3PA) over his last two seasons, in addition to his 77.1 free-throw percentage (3.6 FTA), suggests there’s carry-over with his long-range shooting. He’s a fairly fluid athlete and was the best rebounder in the country at 6-foot-5, amassing a 26.0 defensive rebound percentage.
Clifford flourishes as an off-ball mover and is a remarkable connective passer. Furthermore, given the burden he shouldered offensively (27.7 USG% in ’24-25), he’s an exceptional defender at 6-foot-5, 200 pounds. I do have questions about how he muscles up against bigger wings, but he’s got quality foot speed, screen navigation, dexterity and a low center of gravity
Fleming, 20, is a physical freak, point blank. At 6-foot-8, 230 pounds, Fleming has the longest wingspan in this class (plus-nine) with an absurd 9-foot-1 standing reach. He has an NBA-ready body. Fleming drastically improved as a spot-up shooter last season, canning 39.0 percent of his 4.5 three-point attempts per game, including 38.3 percent from deep in the halfcourt.
There are legitimate questions if his 3-point shooting translates because the St. Joe’s alum shot just 31.3 percent from deep in his first two seasons. I think it will, especially since he has repeatable, sound mechanics, good lift and lightning quick release.
Fleming will be able to guard at least three positions right away. He’s a very good off-ball defender and weakside rim protector; regardless of where he’s at on the floor, he covers so much ground with his length and long strides. You don’t find physical freaks like this every day, and while there are serious questions about Fleming’s ability to self-create (he’s a poor ballhandler), I love his 3-and-D skillset that should make an immediate impact. Think of a supercharged Haywood Highsmith who’s more athletic and rangy.
Coward, 21, was limited to only six games in 2024-25 because of a labrum injury. Though he was excellent in those six games, tallying 17.7 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.7 blocks. Like Fleming, Coward has a plus-nine wingspan with insane hand size and a very intriguing skillset.
Coward is one of the best shooters that you will find in the back-half of the first round, shooting 40.0 percent from deep in six games and 38.8 percent for his career. He didn’t ramp up his 3-point volume until his sophomore season, but he has beautiful arc, a high release and a smooth release. I believe he’s still a better spot-up shooter than he his a movement shooter, though he understands leverage off screens and dribble hand-offs with good balance and body control.
The Washington State alum has a legit post-game at 6-foot-5 with very good footwork; he’s not afraid to take advantage of smaller guards with prestine touch around the rim with both ends–especially his right. He was another player who didn’t need the ball to make an impact. Coward’s passing is better than his assist-to-turnover ratio suggests.
These three wings aren’t the same player, but they all fit today’s mold of smart, malleable, versatile wings that can immediately impact a rotation devoid of two-way athletes. Would you take any of these three prospects with the No. 20 pick? Let us know in the comments!
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I’m happy to get the pick, and it seems like there are some good potential choices. I think it’s our best route from here, some version of the gap year, but, not afraid of making a trade or two, and also willing to upgrade if possible.
I think Coward will be gone, if not, I would take him over the other two. I think they pass on Fleming with Clifford definitely being in the mix for being the pick.