Official Miami Heat 2014 Draft Talk

[RexBoyWonder]

Very good information about the draft on this thread already. I changed the title to be the "Official 2014 Draft Talk" and stickied for everyone to have easy access to it.

--heat4life

So i figured we can use a college/draft thread to keep track on potential guys we're going to draft in the next draft.

Things to remember :

1)We hold the rights to James Ennis who's doing very well in Australia (our pick from last year's draft).

2) We own both our first round pick and our second round pick from the 2014 draft.

3) If by some miracle the Sixers make the playoffs, We get their 2014 first round pick too. (They're actually the #2 seed right now...so one can dream).

4) We controll the Sioux Falls Skyforce basketball operation, so we might bring a player we like from the Dleague if someone there stands out this season (Justin Hamiltom might be a candidate).

With this restrictive CBA, one can't overstate the importance of landing good rotation players in the draft.

[RexBoyWonder]

So it's still early and hard to tell exactly where guys are projected to get picked, but there's a few guys that i already believe can be very helpful addition to our roster.

Some might drop to the late first round range, some might demand we move up to the mid first round range. I see no point in discussing Lottery players, we won't be able to get them anyway under any circumstances. We can discuss them obviously, but not related to our own plans.

First name and the one that i think could be the best fit right now is Willie Cauley-Stein.

Here's his Preseason Scouting Report :

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szAZy-PJVpE[/youtube]

Basically a limited offensive player, but a huge guy with great athleticism, quickness and shot blocking instincts. A Birdman/Tyson Chandler hybird if you would. But much younger. That's the type of player we could never get on the free market because real Centers cost a ton. I think a big defensive Center is still our biggest need, so drafting one, even a raw one, might be the best move.

[DayofMourning]

I could see WCS falling to just outside the lottery. That's his basement though, and I don't think Philly is going to stand much more winning. They'll come back to earth after a strong start to the season.

[JimBeanz]

I agree Rex, a big PF/C is definitely the type of player we need on this team. Recently I had a look around the NBA at the young utility PF/C on team's lists and noticed that many were picked in mid-to-late first round (Mason and Miles Plumlee, Tyler Zeller, Vucevic, Larry Sanders... etc.)

And really this is the kind of player we need - big, runs the floor well, can rebound and defence decently. Offensive skill is really a bonus (and something we don't really need) and will only drive the demand for the player up. So "raw" isn't necessarily a bad thing.

I was also thinking if a player we were after was set to go well before us in the draft (like mid 1st round), we could always trade down to get him. We have a few pieces to give: our second round pick, the sixer's pick, and maybe even the rights to James Ennis (as much as I like him as a player, I don't see him getting many minutes on the wing behind LeBron, Beasly, Battier, JJ and such). Obviously we would have to be pretty keen/certain on the player to do it, but it's a possibility.


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[Gwynplaine]

Great thread Rex.

The Kid (Willie) is extremely raw though offensively. A complete non-shooter. I think his hands are too big. No semblance of a soft touch. He will need to develop a soft touch for those little hooks around the basket. He's wild with the dribble and has bad hands. Doesn't know how to pass out of a double team (This is a little concerning).

However, he has great defensive instincts. He also has the frame to get really big and imposing. If he is able to get disciplined and gets to a respectable FT%, he can be an enhanced Bird/Chandler hybrid like you said. Anything on the offensive side would be gravy. He can be a good hustler and energy guy off the bench.

As far as Centers go, the only decent targets that show promise and might not be too far from our reach are Isiah Austin (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Isaiah-Austin-5773/), Mitch McGary (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mitch-McGary-6431/) and Willie Cauley as mentioned earlier.

Mitch can turn out to be a total bust like Darko. He likes to bang and is physical down low. However, he is not athletic and doesn't have great lateral quickness. He is not good enough offensively to overcome the defensive shortcomings and fit in our teams plans.

Isiah Austin might end up too high in the draft for us to have a real chance. He is another player with potential like Willie Cauley. He will need to add muscle to that skinny frame of his to become effective at the NBA level though. Decent Ft% for a young big man.

Now, I would also like to say that maybe a Center is not the only thing to look at. An athletic PF with legit size size (legit 6'9 and above), who can rebound and also stroke it from beyond the arc might be an even better option. Someone like a lesser version of Bosh but with better rebounding. That would maintain our matchup advantages and also add some size and rebounding. The more I think about it, the more it seems like a better fit for us. I know that not everyone will be on the same page as me on this.

Dwight Powell is a highly intriguing prospect from this standpoint (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dwight-Powell-5750/). He also has a pretty good FT% (around 80%). The kid is prone to fouling quite a bit though.

We might need to add James Ennis on the wings for some much needed youth at those positions once we add a young big. Besides, Ray and Battier may retire at the end of the season and we will need to fill those roles with a mixture of vets and some youth.

[-MK-]

So i figured we can use a college/draft thread to keep track on potential guys we're going to draft in the next draft.

Things to remember :

1)We hold the rights to James Ennis who's doing very well in Australia (our pick from last year's draft).

2) We own both our first round pick and our second round pick from the 2014 draft.

3) If by some miracle the Sixers make the playoffs, We get their 2014 first round pick too. (They're actually the #2 seed right now...so one can dream).

4) We controll the Sioux Falls Skyforce basketball operation, so we might bring a player we like from the Dleague if someone there stands out this season (Justin Hamiltom might be a candidate).

With this restrictive CBA, one can't overstate the importance of landing good rotation players in the draft.

And we also own the Timberwolves 2nd round pick.
http://www.prosportstransactions.com/ba ... e/Heat.htm

[RexBoyWonder]

So i figured we can use a college/draft thread to keep track on potential guys we're going to draft in the next draft.

Things to remember :

1)We hold the rights to James Ennis who's doing very well in Australia (our pick from last year's draft).

2) We own both our first round pick and our second round pick from the 2014 draft.

3) If by some miracle the Sixers make the playoffs, We get their 2014 first round pick too. (They're actually the #2 seed right now...so one can dream).

4) We controll the Sioux Falls Skyforce basketball operation, so we might bring a player we like from the Dleague if someone there stands out this season (Justin Hamiltom might be a candidate).

With this restrictive CBA, one can't overstate the importance of landing good rotation players in the draft.

And we also own the Timberwolves 2nd round pick.
http://www.prosportstransactions.com/ba ... e/Heat.htm

Did we keep that pick? surely there's some protection on it even if we did right? strangely it wasn't mentioned in the sources i usally look into. I hope we still have it...another small asset in our back pocket.

[RexBoyWonder]

Great thread Rex.

The Kid (Willie) is extremely raw though offensively. A complete non-shooter. I think his hands are too big. No semblance of a soft touch. He will need to develop a soft touch for those little hooks around the basket. He's wild with the dribble and has bad hands. Doesn't know how to pass out of a double team (This is a little concerning).

However, he has great defensive instincts. He also has the frame to get really big and imposing. If he is able to get disciplined and gets to a respectable FT%, he can be an enhanced Bird/Chandler hybrid like you said. Anything on the offensive side would be gravy. He can be a good hustler and energy guy off the bench.

As far as Centers go, the only decent targets that show promise and might not be too far from our reach are Isiah Austin (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Isaiah-Austin-5773/), Mitch McGary (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mitch-McGary-6431/) and Willie Cauley as mentioned earlier.

Mitch can turn out to be a total bust like Darko. He likes to bang and is physical down low. However, he is not athletic and doesn't have great lateral quickness. He is not good enough offensively to overcome the defensive shortcomings and fit in our teams plans.

Isiah Austin might end up too high in the draft for us to have a real chance. He is another player with potential like Willie Cauley. He will need to add muscle to that skinny frame of his to become effective at the NBA level though. Decent Ft% for a young big man.

Now, I would also like to say that maybe a Center is not the only thing to look at. An athletic PF with legit size size (legit 6'9 and above), who can rebound and also stroke it from beyond the arc might be an even better option. Someone like a lesser version of Bosh but with better rebounding. That would maintain our matchup advantages and also add some size and rebounding. The more I think about it, the more it seems like a better fit for us. I know that not everyone will be on the same page as me on this.

Dwight Powell is a highly intriguing prospect from this standpoint (http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Dwight-Powell-5750/). He also has a pretty good FT% (around 80%). The kid is prone to fouling quite a bit though.

We might need to add James Ennis on the wings for some much needed youth at those positions once we add a young big. Besides, Ray and Battier may retire at the end of the season and we will need to fill those roles with a mixture of vets and some youth.

Thx, i think Mitch McGary could be nice role player in the NBA but i dont see the fit with us. Isiah Austin is an intersting prospect but 1) He's probably a lottery guy, and 2) He looks no way near ready to the physicality of the NBA. I think we need a player that could help from day 1.

I actually agree with the point you make in the bold part, we shouldn't be solely fixated on centers, a strong PF in the Taj Gibson mold could definitely help us.

Im not sure Dwight-Powell is that guy, a red flag for us might be "he'll need to improve his intensity and toughness" - that's exactly the type of player we dont want. Plus his rebounding and shotbloking numbers aren't very impressive.

A guy that looks more exciting to me as a PF fit is Adreian Payne. He just seems stronger, tougher, more beastly. Guy plays hard, just looks like a Heat type player :

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDFLdWc8CWc[/youtube]

84% from the line also tell us he can shoot some, so he should be able to provide decent spacing too.

[-MK-]

So i figured we can use a college/draft thread to keep track on potential guys we're going to draft in the next draft.

Things to remember :

1)We hold the rights to James Ennis who's doing very well in Australia (our pick from last year's draft).

2) We own both our first round pick and our second round pick from the 2014 draft.

3) If by some miracle the Sixers make the playoffs, We get their 2014 first round pick too. (They're actually the #2 seed right now...so one can dream).

4) We controll the Sioux Falls Skyforce basketball operation, so we might bring a player we like from the Dleague if someone there stands out this season (Justin Hamiltom might be a candidate).

With this restrictive CBA, one can't overstate the importance of landing good rotation players in the draft.

And we also own the Timberwolves 2nd round pick.
http://www.prosportstransactions.com/ba ... e/Heat.htm

Did we keep that pick? surely there's some protection on it even if we did right? strangely it wasn't mentioned in the sources i usally look into. I hope we still have it...another small asset in our back pocket.

In my experience, prosportstransactions.com is the most reliable site for details on all past transactions.
But, if you want confirmation, it's also listed here and here. Not sure why realgm doesn't show it.

[RexBoyWonder]

And we also own the Timberwolves 2nd round pick.
http://www.prosportstransactions.com/ba ... e/Heat.htm

Did we keep that pick? surely there's some protection on it even if we did right? strangely it wasn't mentioned in the sources i usally look into. I hope we still have it...another small asset in our back pocket.

In my experience, prosportstransactions.com is the most reliable site for details on all past transactions.
But, if you want confirmation, it's also listed here and here. Not sure why realgm doesn't show it.

Strange...different sources has slightly different details.

So let's hope the Wolvs screw up this year, we might get another pick in the 30-40 range, in this draft you could find some gems there.

[JimBeanz]

A guy that looks more exciting to me as a PF fit is Adreian Payne. He just seems stronger, tougher, more beastly. Guy plays hard, just looks like a Heat type player :

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDFLdWc8CWc[/youtube]

84% from the line also tell us he can shoot some, so he should be able to provide decent spacing too.

Yeah this guy looks beast. And mock drafts have him around the mid 20s where we could definitely trade down to.

Would like it if he was 6'10, purely because I'm tired of the Heat being seen as an undersized team. But he's still looks like an excellent prospect (we've seen guys like Faried can play bigger just through hustle and athleticism).

[GreenHat]

Mcgary, Austin and Stein seem like they will go earlier than our pick.

Powell and Payne seem like they will be available as of now. I haven't really seen either of them as of yet.

[RexBoyWonder]

Not related to us, but After finally watching Wiggins in a real game i dont buy the Lebron comparison.

He looks more like pippen 2.0, i dont see the vision, basketball IQ that made LBJ special.
He'll be a very good player, but not a generational talent.

[JimBeanz]

Not related to us, but After finally watching Wiggins in a real game i dont buy the Lebron comparison.

He looks more like pippen 2.0, i dont see the vision, basketball IQ that made LBJ special.
He'll be a very good player, but not a generational talent.

Agreed. He's exceptionally talented but I don't think he is at the level LeBron was. Remember LeBron averaged 20ppg as an 18y/o NBA rookie, I don't see Wiggins being able to do that. However, his size/length/athleticism/touch is rare. Perhaps not as developed as Lebron was at a similar stage, but we have all see how players of this type can develop over time in the NBA (Exhibit A: Paul George). So for immediate impact a team might select Parker ahead of Wiggins, but for the potential alone I think the winning GM will pick Wiggins.

I have also noticed a lot of people are now really high on Randle since Tuesday. Whilst I think that is well deserved, you also have to remember that College basketball if different to NBA basketball. At 6'9 250lbs Randle looks like a monster in College, but he would be considered undersized at PF in the NBA. So you have to be careful not to get carried away (again, I'm not saying he won't be a good NBA player, just don't jump the gun).

Parker obviously looks the most polished out of the three, has a nice jumpshot, good size, high BBall IQ and a good mindset. Whilst his up/down athleticism is good enough, he isn't terribly quick laterally or with his first step - may hurt his defense in the NBA. But overall the most polished player out of the three.

[RexBoyWonder]

Not related to us, but After finally watching Wiggins in a real game i dont buy the Lebron comparison.

He looks more like pippen 2.0, i dont see the vision, basketball IQ that made LBJ special.
He'll be a very good player, but not a generational talent.

Agreed. He's exceptionally talented but I don't think he is at the level LeBron was. Remember LeBron averaged 20ppg as an 18y/o NBA rookie, I don't see Wiggins being able to do that. However, his size/length/athleticism/touch is rare. Perhaps not as developed as Lebron was at a similar stage, but we have all see how players of this type can develop over time in the NBA (Exhibit A: Paul George). So for immediate impact a team might select Parker ahead of Wiggins, but for the potential alone I think the winning GM will pick Wiggins.

I have also noticed a lot of people are now really high on Randle since Tuesday. Whilst I think that is well deserved, you also have to remember that College basketball if different to NBA basketball. At 6'9 250lbs Randle looks like a monster in College, but he would be considered undersized at PF in the NBA. So you have to be careful not to get carried away (again, I'm not saying he won't be a good NBA player, just don't jump the gun).

Parker obviously looks the most polished out of the three, has a nice jumpshot, good size, high BBall IQ and a good mindset. Whilst his up/down athleticism is good enough, he isn't terribly quick laterally or with his first step - may hurt his defense in the NBA. But overall the most polished player out of the three.

You know what's funny? the best comparison i see for Randle is Beasley.

Beas had trouble translating some of his college skills to the NBA because of the size and athleticism gap (also the lack of focus and immaturity). Beas can still a good NBA player, but he can't be a superstar. I don't see Randle becoing a superstar either, he has the same limiations..even if he's more mature then Beas was.

Im impressed with Parker, very talented kid. Reminds me a bit of prime Paul Pierce, with some Melo resemblance. I think he'll be a good scorer from day 1 and will probably be a great scorer in a few years, but im not sure if the rest of his game will be elite as well.

[narmerguy]

I'd like us to get a properly sized guy for once and not another undersized stretch dude. Doesn't have to be in the draft, could be FA, but somewhere.

[RexBoyWonder]

I'd like us to get a properly sized guy for once and not another undersized stretch dude. Doesn't have to be in the draft, could be FA, but somewhere.

Then you might like the prospect, 18YO 6"11 250 pounds Mouhammadou Jaiteh :

http://www.draftexpress.com/profile/Mou ... iteh-6366/

The good :

Very young, 7"4 wingspan, physical size and upside.

The bad :

Not explosive at all. I really want a super athletic big next to Bosh.

Might be intersting option for our second round pick..He's playing Pro-ball in france so we could stash him there for a year or 2 and hope he devlops into a beast.

[Hoopz Afrik]

I'm praying for Mitch McGary or Willie Cauley-Stein to fall into our laps. I think Isaiah Austin will fall into our range but I'm not sold on him as a legitmate NBA prospect.

[Sonny Carson]

I'm praying for Mitch McGary or Willie Cauley-Stein to fall into our laps. I think Isaiah Austin will fall into our range but I'm not sold on him as a legitmate NBA prospect.

Willie Cauley Stein would be ideal.


Dont know how he falls that far though.

[xMADEinDADEx]

UGH PHILLY IS STARTING TO LOSE NOW. GODDAMMIT.


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