Every organization has its strengths and weaknesses. For the better part of two decades upon arrival, one of Pat Riley and the rest of the Miami Heat front office’s redeeming qualities was acquiring (super)star talent.
However, now the Heat’s speciality is drafting and developing said talent. Not all of them turn into stars, sans for Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro (arguable). But vice president Adam Simon and Co. have consistently drafted above their actual position over the last decade-plus, which is what Miami needed to do with it refusing to bottoming out.
On Sunday, polarizing analyst Charles Barkley credit the Heat’s player development staff — specifically listing them and San Antonio as two of the best in the NBA.
Why Heat’s recent draft success raises one big question:
It typically takes at least three or four years — if not more — to make a concrete evaluation regarding a player and his respective draft class.
However, it’s pretty clear that both Kel’el Ware — when he’s locked in — and Pelle Larsson are hits after just one season; Jaime Jaquez Jr., drafted No. 18 overall in 2023, has broke out in his third season; Nikola Jovic showed plenty of signs that he outperformed his No. 28 overall draft slot in 2022 prior to this year, and he’s still 22-years-old with plenty of room to grow.
The Heat’s biggest — and really only — miss was Precious Achiuwa, who’s putting together 20-point double-doubles on the tanking Sacramento Kings. Over the last half-dozen years, they have also done a masterful job developing Duncan Robinson, the greatest shooter in franchise history, Max Strus and Gabe Vincent, among others.
That raises one question: Why haven’t they leaned into the draft?
I’ve made this point before, but while the organization rightfully trusts itself to acquire and develop undrafted talents, they’d be much better off leaning into the draft, where they’ve found so much success. You can’t build from the middle. Cost-controlled contracts are incredibly important in today’s two-apron era, and the Heat’s success at drafting and building a somewhat respectable foundation should only entice them to continue down that route, not away from it.
Remember, the greatest player in franchise history was a top-3 pick. And while the Heat may not ever have the record — or luck — to net one of those picks, it would behoove them to stack assets and improve its odds at securing a top-10 pick because it’s incredibly rare to draft All-NBA talent from anywhere outside that threshold.
Which other organizations deserve credit for their player development?:
While I don’t think the Heat are the first- or second-best, their player developmental track record is difficult to ignore. But outside of San Antonio and Miami, who else would be considered if we did a draft tomorrow regarding which teams have the best player development? (in no order):
- Oklahoma City Thunder (best in NBA)
- Denver Nuggets
- Boston Celtics
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Indiana Pacers
- Detroit Pistons
- Toronto Raptors
Among others!
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I have written numerous times about the virtues of the Heat transitioning to a much younger core. Now, 11 of the 15 on the roster are under 30 years old. Whether it be by trade, draft, or just luck, if the Heat find that A level player, they can be competitive for years. This is not true of every team based on age of the players or secondary talent level.
The team just needs a clutch player who is able to consistently close out games and a good reserve PF/C. That was Pat’s homework assignment this year and he failed miserably.
The inability of the Front Office to adapt to the modern NBA rules, has been apparent. Riley still thinks it’s the 90’s and 2000’s and you can trade for a Super Team.
Yes, we saw Luka traded last year, but it’s very rare in the Modern NBA for teams to trade Super Stars in their primes.
So being solely focus on trading for a Super Star to put you over the top, just isn’t a viable strategy.
Tanking may not always work (see the 76ers process), but building through the draft with 15-30 picks, and trying to place a mid-level player in a super star role, has never worked to the best of my knowledge.
The Bucks team that won is one example, it was built around Giannis (No. 15) and Khris Middleton (No. 39). 4 of the past 7 Finals MVPs were non-lottery picks (SGA 15, Jokic 41, Giannis 15, Kawhi 15)
Excellent and thought provoking article. Drafting wisely and developing young players is important, but there are teams that don’t rely on that in their team building strategy, and still have become highly successful. Shrewd talent assessment of players already in the fold and those around the league, intelligent contract negotiations, the recruiting of free agents, and the making of good trades, all are probably just as important, if not more so.
They can’t tank because they don’t control their draft picks. If they traded everyone this offseason to bottom out they would have a lottery pick in 2027 but then be giving an unprotected pick to CHA in 2028.