2025 NBA Draft: 7 names to keep an eye on for Heat with 20th pick

We are less than two months away from the 2025 NBA Draft, which will be held on Wednesday, June 25! The G-League Elite Camp begins Friday while the NBA Draft combine doesn’t tip off until Sunday.

The Miami Heat became the first team in NBA History to win two play-in games on the road to make the postseason, but lost their own lottery-protected pick. However, due to the Jimmy Butler trade, they own the No. 20 pick (Warriors pick) ahead of the 2025 NBA Draft.

It will be their only pick of the draft. Who are some names to look out for? Below, I listed seven, even though the list far exceeds that amount. Let’s dive into it!

Ben Saraf, G, Israel

Saraf is one of my favorite international prospects in this class, even though he fits the bill of plenty of guard prospects in this class: He can facilitate, but isn’t a good 3-point shooter, which could be a problem at the next level. However, the 6-foot-5 guard has a slithery handle, is an above-average finisher and is a very creative passer with good decision-making in the pick-and-roll. He’s also a good and physical point-of-attack defender, though he isn’t physical when navigating bigger defenders offensively. I’m bad with comparisons, but Saraf’s game reminds me of former Heat guard Goran Dragic.

Jase Richardson, G, Michigan State

I presume Richardson gets picked before 20, but weirder things have happened. His measurables at this month’s combine could also impact his draft stock. But the 6-foot-3 guard continued to get better as the season went on, averaging 16.1 points and 4.6 rebounds on 47.0 percent shooting, including 42.0 percent from 3-point range over his last 15 games. He’s acted primarily as a secondary creator in Michigan State’s offense, but if your role expands in Tom Izzo’s offense as a freshman, you’re doing something right.

Rasheer Fleming, F, St. Joseph’s

St. Joseph’s narrowly missed the NCAA Tournament, but Fleming is one of the best 3-and-D upperclassmen in this class. The junior averaged career highs in points (14.7), rebounds (8.5), steals (1.4), blocks (1.5), field goal percentage (53.1), 3-point percentage (39.0) and free-throw percentage (74.3) last year. So, yes, he literally averaged career highs across the board. The biggest knock on his game is a lack of creation upside due to poor ballhandling, but if you’re looking for a prospect who can knock down open 3s and defend multiple positions at a high level, he’s a great get. Those kinds of 3-and-D wings are at a premium in today’s NBA.

Kam Jones, G, Marquette

Jones, a super senior, is projected to get picked at the back-end of the first round. The consensus All-American took over as Marquette’s lead guard this season and, while his shooting efficiency dipped, averaged a career-high 5.9 assists per game with a gaudy 3.1 assist-to-turnover ratio. In the right system, he could be an excellent complementary guard if his shooting efficiency is more consistent than it was last year.

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Nique Clifford, G/F, Colorado State

Clifford is another senior who averaged 19.0 points, 9.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals on 50.7 percent shooting, including 39.8 percent from beyond the arc last season. He was one of the most productive mid-major players in the country. Not to mention, Clifford’s a superb defender at 6-foot-6 with a 6-foot-8 wingspan. He consistently defended the team’s best player and improved gradually over his two seasons at Colorado State as a shot creator.

Labaron Philon, G, Alabama

Philon’s role at Alabama was limited this season, playing behind Mark Sears and Aden Holloway. He averaged 10.6 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.4 steals on 45.2 percent shooting and 31.5 percent from distance. With the ball in his hands, he does an excellent job locking defenders in jail on his hip and has very good in-between touch from the 5-10 foot area on the floor. I’m a buyer that the long-range shooting will come around at some point, but that was a slight concern in his limited role–as well as his lack of vertical pop. He’s a physical, hypercompetitive player and, with the right development, could grow into a solid two-way guard.

Walter Clayton Jr., G, Florida

Clayton was the biggest riser as a result of the NCAA Tournament, helping lead Florida to a National Title. 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 not a great finisher, but he’s got range and isn’t afraid of the big moment.