Despite owning a top-20 pick for the third consecutive season and for the fifth time since 2018, there has been noticeably more silence regarding not only who the Miami Heat have worked out, but also any potential players they could be targeting.
However, with one day to go until the 2025 NBA Draft, more smoke has permeated regarding a tantalizing guard who raised his stock throughout the NCAA Tournament.
According to multiple reports, the Miami Heat are fans of Florida’s Walter Clayton Jr.:
While we know they have been in attendance for multiple workouts out West over the last two months, Clayton, 22, is one of three consensus top-30 prospects that the Heat have worked out in their own building–the other two being Michigan State’s Jase Richardson and Illinois’ Will Riley.
That’s a shockingly low number because we’ve known they’ve possessed the No. 20 pick for two months. That screams to me that they didn’t expect to have the pick once June rolled around. That said, the tantalizing guard in their backyard appears to have drawn eyes, according to CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein and ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel.
“[Walter Clayton Jr.] has reportedly had multiple workouts in Miami and recently cancelled workouts towards the end of the first-round, which is probably very telling,” CBS Sports’ Adam Finkelstein reported Monday. “He is one of the very best shooters in this draft, has the versatility to play both on and off the ball and the physical strength to be a more competitive defender in the NBA than we saw for most of his college career.”
“After missing out on trading for Durant, Miami needs to prioritize finding scoring threats next to Herro and Bam Adebayo,” ClutchPoints’ Brett Siegel wrote Tuesday. “Outside of Herro, the Heat don’t have other lead playmakers in their backcourt, which makes [Walter Clayton Jr.] a high-upside pick for Pat Riley. Clayton to Miami has gained momentum among league personnel in recent days.”
Clayton was one of the nation’s biggest risers in March, finishing his senior season averaging 18.3 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.2 steals on 44.8 percent shooting, including 38.6 percent from deep and 87.5 percent from the free-throw line. In the NCAA Tournament, Clayton, who helped lead Florida to its first National Title since 2007, tallied 22.3 points on 47.4/43.5/91.3 shooting splits despite a poor National Championship performance against Houston.
Here’s what I wrote about him in mid-May:
“He was excellent throughout most of March, though I do caution some about the risk of taking those kinds of players. I still project him to be an early second-rounder, but I wouldn’t be surprised if a team takes a chance on him in the late-first-round area. He averaged 18.3 points on 44.8/38.6/87.5 shooting splits. He’s a tough shot-taker … but he’s also a tough shot maker. Clayton is a decent facilitator, rebounder and playmaker for his size; he’s a bad defender and not a great finisher, but he’s got range and isn’t afraid of the big moment.”
How would Walter Clayton Jr. fit with Heat?:
On one hand, Clayton is a sensational pull-up jump shooter with good mechanics, good lift and a lightning-quick release that he wasn’t afraid to get up over anyone. He would unquestionably help the Heat’s Listed at 6-foot-2 with a 6-foot-4 wingspan, he’s a combo guard in a point guard’s body, which is where I begin to have questions.
I, admittedly, do have genuine concerns about his lack of size and overall impact outside of his tough-shotmaking. He’s not a poor playmaker, but he doesn’t project to be a lead guard because of his inconsistent decision-making. He’s a poor defender who gets lost, and doesn’t have the sheer length or foot speed to make up for it. Clayton’s fit alongside Tyler Herro, in a vacuum, is a huge concern for that reason.
The 6-foot-2 guard can function off-ball, and has offensive upside, but Clayton and Herro would be disastrous together defensively, which the Heat should be prioritizing.
It’s also smoke-screen season, so take notice of what is being said where.
What do you think about Walter Clayton Jr. getting picked by the Miami Heat? Let us know in the comments!
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Uptick: He seems to have the potential to be an exciting point guard for those wanting a scintillating offensive minded point guard.
Downside: Does the Heat have the personnel that will make up for his defensive woes against top tier NBA teams. More importantly, is he willing to work on his defense or will he be noncommittal.
Footnote: It is not how a player starts his career that matters, it is his progression that ultimately defines his relevance to a team.
He would, indeed, be a fun player to watch. But definitely concerned about his defense. I think he would work on it, but Herro also has worked hard on it and, so far, his defense has improved, but not enough. At least we’ll know very soon and get out of the mud we’re stuck in.
I do hope he ends up being a good 2 way player. Many started up as one way player but ended up being good 2 way players. That is one of the things workout trials are. Seeing a player’s potentials, deficiency, and how they will handle criticism
His build reminds me a bit of Lowry, who was a good POA defender, and would take charges, plus some flops sprinkled in for good measure. I think he could become an average defender.
Do hope so.
Picking Clayton at 20, to me, would be a big mistake. Most mocks I’ve looked at for 2 months rank him lower – anywhere between 25 and early second round. On top of that, he is a minus defender, something the Heat can’t afford if they keep Herro. Either get a better player at 20, or trade down and perhaps get Clayton and Fleming or Powell or other player with more size and defensive upside.
Those are all fair points. As a Gator fan, as well as a Heat fan, I would be happy to trust the front office. This could be a Maxey-like situation. I’m not comparing speed, only the bucket getting, which is why the Heat have FOMO.