NBA Draft 2011: Miami Heat and 5 Potential Targets To Help the Big 3
It's never too early to examine what lies ahead for the Miami Heat when it comes time for them to draft, perhaps fresh off what could be another championship parade in Biscayne Bay. I know, I know, the Miami Heat haven't made it past the Eastern Conference finals, but they'll have to recharge their team next season with young legs (the Heat have oldest team in NBA this season, thanks to Big Z, Juwan Howard and Erick Dampier).
The Miami Heat will enter the offseason looking to upgrade at guard even though the team would also like to patch up the middle and get a big man to match up with other Eastern Conference contenders—but that's why they drafted Dexter Pittman in the 2010 draft. I doubt with the 31st pick, the Miami Heat will double dip and take another big man with a guard-heavy draft.
Without further ado, here are five names the Heat might be targeting on draft night. One of the names might be a bit of a surprise, but then again you may have heard of him. Either way, these are the Miami Heat's five prime targets come June to help Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh.
Darius Morris
1 of 5
College Basketball Statistics
2010-11: 35 GP, 15.0 PPG, 4.0 REB, 6.7 AST, .489 FG%, .720 FT%, .250 3P%
Year
Sophomore
What He Could Mean to Heat
Morris is a physical beast at the guard position. His size at 6'4'' is a great matchup against most guards in the NBA giving the Heat an edge against a 6'3'' Derrick Rose. However, with that physicality comes a lack of top-end speed from Morris, which could potentially be a problem
While he ran the point for Michigan in his first season as a full-time starter, he broke out thanks to his ball-handling skills and ability to make plays. Morris had 8.8 assists per 40 minutes of play (the time of a college game in regulation) and that leads all players in the draft.
Charles Jenkins
2 of 5
College Basketball Statistics
2010-11: 33 GP, 22.6 PPG, 3.4 REB, 4.8 AST, .517 FG%, .824 FT%, .420 3P%
Year
Senior
What He Could Mean to Heat
Jenkins fits a prime need for the Heat: a three-point shooter who plays point guard and can penetrate inside and get fouled. He can easily be seen as a Kemba Walker lite, but because he plays for Hofstra, not much stood out from him or the team.
Jenkins would essentially replace Mike Bibby on the roster and he would split time with Chalmers. Jenkins is 6'3'' and 220 pounds, giving him the strength to be able to guard against the better point guards in the league. He averaged 1.6 steals a game to go along with 0.6 blocks, which for a guard is pretty impressive.
Nolan Smith
3 of 5
College Basketball Statistics
2010-11: 37 GP, 20.6 PPG, 4.5 REB, 5.1 AST, .458 FG%, .813 FT%, .350 3P%
Year
Senior
What He Could Mean to Heat
Smith had the luxury of being coached by Coach K at Duke and being able to man the point in the Blue Devils' 2009-10 championship run. These are all big pluses for Smith, who could fall to the Miami Heat with the 31st pick. He filled in for Kyrie Irving in his injury-riddled freshman season and showed an improved ability to run the team this year.
Smith reminds me a lot of Mario Chalmers, but Smith has an advantage at being a better scorer and passer along the perimeter.
Norris Cole
4 of 5
College Basketball Statistics
2010-11: 36 GP, 21.7 PPG, 5.8 REB, 5.3 AST, .439 FG%, .853 FT%, .342 3P%
Year
Senior
What He Could Mean to Heat
Norris Cole was a breakout star for Cleveland State last season, he might end up being a trade-back option for the Miami Heat if they feel the need to stack up on young talent in the second round. Cole is best known for a game earlier in the college basketball season against Youngstown State where he had 41 points, 20 rebounds and nine assists.
As noted, Cole has excellent shooting ability, can penetrate inside and is capable of making all the passes needed in transition, which is the Heat's MO. He fits the Heat's fast-break mentality and is lethal in transition when he can get out and find the open man.
Nevertheless, Cole lacks the explosiveness and did not play against the better teams in the NCAA, which indicates he still has yet to face top-tier talent. Still, this doesn't necessarily mean he won't be good—Stephen Curry is one prime example, however his team made it to the NCAA tournament.
Ricky Rubio
5 of 5
College Basketball Statistics
2010-11: 34 GP (23.0 MIN), 5.3 PPG , 3.4 REB, 4.4 AST, .331 FG%, .770 FT%, .270 3P%
Year
N/A; drafted by Minnesota in 2009
What He Could Mean to Heat
I'm one of the few that believes Rubio won't be playing for Minnesota and that ultimately his struggles in Europe, coupled with his desire to play for a big-market East Coast franchise will factor into a possible trade from Minnesota. Minnesota could draft a Brandon Knight or Kemba Walker and give up the Rubio experiment.
Enter the Miami Heat, who could trade their second-round pick used in the Michael Beasley deal back to them and perhaps deal another player—maybe the Heat get rid of Mike Miller and his hefty contract, which could allow Miami to target a free-agent big man.
While the numbers aren't that "sexy," Rubio plays only 23 minutes a game and he is only 20 years of age and still developing. One thing is for sure—Rubio isn't a scoring point guard, but he has great foot speed, excellent passing ability and a high basketball IQ, all attributes needed for a point guard with star potential.
With the NBA Draft approaching, NBA Mock Draft season is here. Stay tuned to Bleacher Report for updated mock drafts, along with the latest NBA Draft news, analysis, rumors and predictions.
