NBA Draft 2012: 5 Rookies Who Can Help Miami Heat Defend Their Title

The Miami Heat have the 27th pick in the 2012 NBA Draft and will need to select wisely if they want to defend their title.

The Heat could use depth at center, as Udonis Haslem and Chris Bosh are better off at power forward. Grabbing an athletic big man would be a smart move.

The Heat also wouldn't mind adding some depth behind LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Selecting someone who can play both positions would be ideal. Resting James and Wade more during the regular season will only help them in the playoffs.

Adding another wing defender in the Shane Battier mold would be a smart move, as well.

The 27th pick doesn't feature the cream of the crop, but there will surely be talented players available.

As long as the Heat can add either an athletic big man or versatile wing player, it will be a success.

Festus Ezeli

The Heat need a big man and Ezeli, could turn into a very good one.

The 6'11" Vanderbilt senior is a physical specimen who is quite athletic.

Ezeli has only averaged 20 minutes per game in his career, so he has some developing to do.

He is a bit raw on the offensive side, where his only move is to dunk. 

On defense, he is not quite the rebounder that he should be for his size, but is making improvements. He shows good quickness on the perimeter and can hang with most big men.

Ezeli has work to do, but the Heat can afford to let him develop a bit. As he does, he can come off the bench as a true big man—something the Heat don't really have.

Ezeli is projected to be a late first round pick, so he should be available when the Heat pick at 27. He would add needed frontcourt depth and, in time, could become the starting center. 

Draymond Green

Draymond Green had a terrific career at Michigan State and is primed to have a good one in the NBA.

The 6'7" power forward is a bit undersized, but he is a good shooter who is developing three point range. 

Green is also an excellent passer and served as a de facto point guard for the Spartans. 

Despite giving a solid effort, Green struggles on the defensive end. He is not overly athletic, so he struggles guarding the perimeter. At 6'7", he has a hard time defending in the post. 

However, Green provides potential as a solid stretch-4 off the bench. He can shoot, facilitate and snag boards. He averaged 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds and 3.8 assists last season.

Green will provide an offensive spark off the bench and will help get others going. He provides toughness and scrappy play and will turn into a valuable NBA contributor. 

Jeff Taylor

Jeff Taylor is an athletic small forward who will prove to be a versatile contributor at the next level.

The 6'7" senior is a great shooter, scoring on 42.3 percent of his three point attempts.

He is also good on cuts and is effective on the pick-and-roll.

He has great speed and is excellent in transition— perfect for the up-tempo Heat. 

Taylor makes his mark on the defensive side of the ball. He can guard three positions and has excellent lateral quickness. 

He is very similar to Oklahoma City Thunder forward Thabo Sefolosha, who is a very valuable member of his team.

Taylor can back up both LeBron James and Dwayne Wade, provide shooting off the bench and defend three positions effectively. He would be an ideal piece to help Miami defend their title. 

Miles Plumlee

Miles Plumlee was a big winner at the NBA Combine.

The Duke center had a 40.5 maximum vertical jump—higher than Shaquille O'Neal's.

He also was in the top five for lane agility, which is outstanding for someone weighing 252 pounds. 

However, Plumlee didn't put up the numbers in college to match up with that athleticism. He averaged 6.7 points for Duke last season. 

Plumlee is raw in the post and does not exhibit many moves. He is limited offensively and is still developing as a shooter.

The big man is explosive around the basket and is a very good rebounder. He can grab an offensive board and put it back.

The Duke prospect is a solid defender who can guard out on the perimeter as well as bang in the post. He can also rebound the ball, but is not much of a blocker.

Plumlee's performance at the Combine has vaulted him into the late first round discussion and he should be available when the Heat pick at 27.

He would provide valuable depth and contribute as a rebounder early on. He needs to work on his offense, but the Heat are pretty good on that end. 

Taking a flyer on the super-athletic Plumlee would be a wise decision for the Heat. He can provide minutes as an energy big man and potentially develop into something more.

Big men with his size and athleticism don't grow on trees and the Heat have a clear need in the pivot. Selecting Plumlee could prove to be a solid move. 

Will Barton

Will Barton is an athletic wing who can play multiple positions.

The 6'6" Conference USA player of the year averaged 18 points last season, along with eight rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.4 steals. He also shot 34.6 percent from three point land.

Barton has great speed and is a weapon in transition. He can drive to the rim and can also create for others.

On defense, Barton is athletic enough to guard the perimeter. Averaging 1.4 steals is impressive. 

Barton projects as a good scorer, as well as a Tony Allen-like pest on the defensive side.

However, he needs to bulk up from his scrawny 174-pound frame.

Barton could back up both Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, as well as provide scoring off the bench. He's a good shooter who has shown improvement in college.

Barton is projected as a mid-to-late first round pick, but if he's available at 27, the Heat should grab him. He provides depth and has an exciting skill set that will make him a very important contributor off the bench early on.