Heat draft candidates emerge

The 2019 NBA Finals are about to start. But for Miami Heat executives, now is the time to look at potential candidates for the 13th overall pick. And some candidates are emerging.

That’s Heat President Pat Riley, coach Erik Spoelstra and assistant general manager Adam Simon looking at Kevin Porter Jr., the 6-foot-6 swingman who may fall to the Heat due to a two-week suspension while in college.

And moreover, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson reported that the Heat have scheduled a private workout with 6-foot-8 Kentucky forward PJ Washington. And the team also plans to bring in Kentucky guard Tyler Herro for a workout, he said.

The Ringer projects Washington to hear his name called for the 22nd pick and compares him to Taj Gibson and Jerami Grant. Drafting him may also signal that the Heat don’t view James Johnson — who still has two years left on his contract — as a long-term Heat player. The Ringer projects Tyler Herro to go 24th and highlights his shooting in comparing him to Devin Booker.

Now, Booker was selected 13th in the 2015 NBA Draft — just after Miami picked Justise Winslow at 10. Is Miami looking for a scorer, now knowing that Winslow and Josh Richardson can’t carry the load? (A 37-year-old Dwyane Wade was the closer too often for this rebuilding team.)

Barry Jackson also reported that Simon and Heat general manager Andy Elisburg saw UNC swingman Nassir Little in a Las Vegas workout on Monday and that Little “remains in play” for the Heat’s first-round pick. Little and Porter Jr. would be my top picks for Miami’s selection. Both have the potential to become solid 3-and-D guys to complement Winslow, Josh Richardson and Bam Adebayo.