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The Miami Heat had an impressive season in 2022. They outperformed just about all expectations and fell just one win short of making it to the NBA Finals. The franchise remains in win-now mode and will be in search of the missing pieces to get them over the top this offseason. One of the avenues they will look to do this is through the NBA Draft.
The Heat currently hold the 27th pick in the upcoming draft. It is worth noting that they forfeited their second-round pick as a result of the tapering that occurred when acquiring Kyle Lowry. While this slap on the wrist likely will not stop teams from bending the rules but is a sign the NBA is beginning to crack down. Given they only have one selection, it becomes even more important for the Heat to capitalize on the pick. There are multiple solid options set to be on the board, but here are three guys the Heat should avoid.
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Heat 2022 NBA Draft prospects they must avoid
Ryan Rollins- Guard Toledo
A two-year starter at Toledo, Ryan Rollins impressed during his time in college. Rollins took a massive step forward in his sophomore season and averaged 18.9 points, 6.0 rebounds, 3.6 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. He attacks the basket hard and does most of his scoring damage around the rim. Rollins stands about 6’3” and can play both on and off the ball. He has an intriguing pull-up game and an impressive 6”10” wingspan that helps on the defensive side of the ball.
While he is a fun player to watch play, there are some legitimate questions about his ability to make the NBA leap. Ryan Rollins did not face off against very impressive competition at Toledo and the NBA will be a major jump. It also is concerning how drive-heavy his game is considering he is a guard on the smaller side of things. Rollins shot just 31.1% on three-pointers which was slightly down from his percentage as a freshman. He also lacks athleticism and there are some real concerns about who he will be able to guard at the NBA level. Ryan Rollins is a fun player to root for but too much of a risk to invest the 27th pick in.
Patrick Baldwin Jr- Wing Milwaukee
Formerly the 5th ranked prospect in the 2021 high school recruiting class, Patrick Baldwin Jr’s path to the pros has not been seamless. He passed on offers from several big-time schools in order to go to Milwaukee where his father coaches. Baldwin is a talented 6’9” wing with a ton of upside. However, he has yet to put them together. He played just 11 games in college before being shut down due to an ankle injury. In these 11 games, Baldwin averaged 12.1 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 assists. He also shot just 34.4% from the field and 26.6% on three-point attempts.
The idea of Patrick Baldwin Jr is much more appealing than the player he currently is. He lacks the necessary foot speed and burst to separate at the NBA level. Baldwin has a mature game and shows moments of high IQ decision-making on the court but can also be too passive at times. His effort level on the defensive end was not always good enough either. Some team is certain to take a chance on the high upside prospect but it should not be the Miami Heat.
Walker Kessler- Center Auburn
There are few people in the world who possess the monstrous size of Walker Kessler. The Auburn product stands 7’1” and weighs 255 pounds. He is an impressive shot blocker and averaged a ridiculous 4.6 blocks per game this season. Kessler altered more shots than were seen on the stat sheet due to his presence around the rim. He also added 11.4 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 1.1 steals during his 25.6 minutes of play. His ability to make an impact in the pick and roll game on offense is intriguing and he also added 2.6 offensive rebounds per game. The big man transferred from UNC after his freshman season and found more success with Auburn.
While he is more light-footed than you would expect, there are still concerns about how Walker Kessler will hold up at the NBA level. He struggles when switched onto perimeter players and will be targeted by this in the NBA. The 7-footer can also do too much with the basketball in his hands at times. He has some shooting potential as he showed a willingness from outside, but did not eclipse 60% on his free throws in either season. Adding another big man should be a priority for the Heat, but Walker Kessler is not the perfect fit.