The Miami Heat are one of the best organizations at developing young talent in the NBA. Their track record speaks for itself with players like Bam Adebayo, Tyler Herro, Max Strus, Gabe Vincent, Jaime Jaquez Jr., and others. The Heat have a chance to add to that group with the 15th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. A few players that would make sense for the Heat with that pick include Jared McCain, Zach Edey, and Tristan da Silva.
A two-way addition to their backcourt
Miami's backcourt depth took a hit last season after Vincent departed to the Los Angeles Lakers. They hoped to remedy that situation with their midseason acquisition of Terry Rozier from the Charlotte Hornets in January. However, he got hurt shortly after arriving in South Beach. With him not available in the playoffs, Miami relied on the likes of Patty Mills and Delon Wright to provide key minutes in the backcourt.
Wright was solid for them against the Boston Celtics, but he is a journeyman who is slated to be a free agent this summer. The Heat need another long-term answer next to Herro in the backcourt. They can use the 15th pick on one in Duke's Jared McCain. McCain is a very solid prospect. He is one of the best shooters in the 2024 NBA Draft and can really defend.
McCain shot 41.4% from three this season on just under six attempts per game. He provides a perfect complementary skillset to not just Herro in the backcourt but the team as a whole. McCain doesn't need the ball to impact the game and can spread the floor for Jimmy Butler and Adebayo. The Heat would be wise to use the 15th pick on him.
Another bruising big man
Another area of the floor where Miami needs some help is in the frontcourt. They have been scrambling for the last few years to find a competent big man to fill in for Adebayo when need be. The Heat have a net rating of -14.2 in their five-game series against the Celtics this year. In last year's playoffs, that number was better at -2.3, but that's still not good enough for a contender.
The Heat can help themselves in those situations by drafting Purdue's Zach Edey. Edey was a dominant force on both ends for the Boilermakers. He thrived as the engine of their offense and improved drastically defensively. He is not a novelty. Edey is a legit NBA prospect who can help any team that drafts him.
The Heat have cycled through the likes of Thomas Bryant, Cody Zeller, Kevin Love, Orlando Robinson, and DeWayne Dedmon as their backup center in recent years. Those guys are fine players, but Miami certainly can do better than them. They would with the two-time Naismith player of the year. Using the 15th pick on Edey would make a lot of sense for the Heat.
Another experienced veteran
Jaime Jaquez Jr. looked like a quintessential Heat pick last year in large part because of his experience as a college player. Jaquez Jr. played four seasons of college basketball and was able to use that to make an immediate impact in the NBA. Miami could follow a similar blueprint with Colorado's Tristan da Silva.
Da Silva played in Boulder for four years, with his last being the best. He posted career highs in points (16), rebounds (5.1) assists (2.4), and blocks (0.6) per game. Da Silva projects best as a four, but the selling point with him is his ability to shoot at that position. He shot 38.6% from three for his college career and 78.6% from the free throw line. It seems like a safe bet that Da Silva will continue to shoot well in the NBA.
Miami can add to its versatile collection of wings by drafting Tristan da Silva. He'd be a great selection in the draft for the Heat with the 17th pick.
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