Trading into the 2nd Round? Miami’s Draft Day targets

The Miami Heat will not enter next Thursday’s NBA Draft with a selection, but that won’t necessarily keep them from coming away with a player before the night is over.

Traditionally, acquiring second round picks is not that difficult of a task. It may cost a player, maybe a future pick, or two future seconds, but it is doable. And depending on where the Heat would like to pick in the second round, they can get it without giving up very much.

And that may be exactly what Pat Riley is hoping to do. While we aren’t certain, there has been rumors that they are interested in trading into the second round.

If they do this, I believe the Heat would be best suited to find a talented point guard who can help the depth chart behind Goran Dragic. The Heat have no true point guard on the roster after Dragic, and they used Tyler Johnson, Dwyane Wade and others to handle the ball when Dragic was out.

A second round player may not be a rotation player, but it would at least provide some depth when the need is available.

And with that said, there are some names that could intrigue the Heat if they decide to go this route.

Here are some point guards who are likely first round picks:

Collin Sexton
Trae Young
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Aaron Holiday
De’Anthony Melton
Jalen Brunson

After that, there are some names, mainly two that stand out as really solid picks for the Miami Heat.

Devonte’ Graham
Would the Heat likely to another 4-year player from Kansas like they did with Mario Chalmers ten years ago? Graham had a great year at Kansas and has developed into a solid player. He averaged 17.3 PPG and 7.2 APG last season and led Kansas to the Final Four.

He is a decent shooter and also an athletic point guard who likes to play defense. He could fit into the Heat culture well, and because he’s 23 years old, he has some maturity among draftees that can be appealing.

Trevon Duval
The #1 rated point guard in his class heading to Duke last year didn’t have a standout season, but is still declaring. He averaged 10.3 PPG and 5.6 APG at Duke behind other star players, and probably 4 other NBA draft picks (Marvin Bagley III, Wendell Carter Jr., Gary Trent Jr., and Grayson Allen). Duval is an insanely quick and athletic point guard, gifted at getting to the rim. He’s a great passer and lethal in transition.

However, his glaring weakness is his jump shot. Which struggled a lot in college. Not only from the college three (29%) but also from the free throw line (60%). And that’s a pretty big deal, especially considering the surrounding talks around Markell Fultz. What team has a need for a point guard who can’t shoot an open three at a decent clip?

In today’s NBA, that’s a tough one to sell. That’s Duval’s downside. But can the Heat work with him? Do they need him to shoot? I don’t know those answers. But he’s an intriguing prospect.

Both Duval and Graham are projected to be picked in the late 30’s or early 40’s. So there could be a window for the Heat to slide in and grab a point guard that can make an immediate difference, or be another project for them to develop.

What do you think?