2017 NBA Draft- Annual Editor’s Mock Draft

Team Needs:

Playmaking, shot creation, offensive players who drive to draw fouls (26th in free throw attempts)

Free Agents:

• Luke Babbitt – UFA
• Udonis Haslem – UFA
• James Johnson – UFA
• Josh McRoberts – UFA
• Willie Reed – UFA
• Dion Waiters – UFA

Roster Gaps:

The Heat are an oddity in that they do all thing at the median or better. They function well as a unit with solid chemistry. Arguably the absence of a bonafide star makes them more difficult to defend. Still, adding an athletic wing or frontcourt player with 2-way versatility could bolster the existing squad offensively.

Zach Collins:

As for Zach Collins in TI’s draft prospect preview  his skills were highlighted as:

"Zach Collins displays a versatile offensive skill set which includes being able to score in the paint through a variety of moves and above average foot work. Though the paint is his preference his shooting ability allows him to extend beyond to the field. His shot attempts in the field, while low, hit their mark especially on his preferred right side (71.4 percent). Ironically his perimeter shot was more successful from the left side where he connected on 50 percent of the 20 attempts he made. Due to this offensive versatility he becomes a difficult guard which subsequently allows him to draw copious fouls.  He’s also capable of playing both front court positions and in the new postiion-less NBA this is an invaluable asset. Defensively he has the ability to grow into a top team defender with the ability to rebound, block shots and guard both in and outside the paint. He’s agile for a big man as the following video’s showcase he uses this skill to defend laterally.  Some analysts felt Zach Collins wasted too many opportunities trying to block shots instead of making the correct defensive play. However, teaching a player to be aggressive is far more difficult than dialing them back to utilize their effort in a more logical way."

Overview:

When Pat Riley is the man at the helm and Eric Spoelstra is ruing the show on the court you simply can’t ever count the Heat out. Although Mike D’Antoni will likely walk away with the Coach of the Year Award on Monday, June 26thereis ample reason to had it to Spo. There are maybe two other coaches (Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr) who you could bet wouldn’t pack in the season were they to get out to an 11-30 start.

To begin their campaign last season the Heat did so knowing the 2e other two -thirds of the Heatles were gone. One via free agency (Dwyane Wade) and the other due to a nasty bout with blood clots which has ended his career in all likelihood (Chris Bosh).

The losses of two stars of this ilk would have crippled most franchises. But, not Riley and Spo. It’s common knowledge the slicked back haired man will show up this summer and toss his handful of rigs on the table and lure some free gent to South Beach- I mean it’s a given.

What wasn’t common knowledge is how much the Heat value the players taking care of their bodies via diet and exercise. One look at James Johnson and Dion Waiters verifies that commitment. With the final pick in the lottery, look for the Heat to make a smart pick to add depth to their roster of solid contributors.

And, when free agency begins July 1 look for Riley to pull out his rings and land a top free agent. But above all don’t count out Miami when creating your top 16 teams for 2018 because this franchise simply refuses to tank.