NBA Draft Rumors: Miami Heat looking for player that can contribute immediately
By Jack Crosby
The NBA Draft is rapidly approaching, and this Thursday some of the best talent the collegiate and international levels have to offer will all have new NBA homes. Some of them, though, as with prospects in any sport, may need some time to develop; while others may be fortunate enough to become reliable contributors right off the bat.
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In the case of the defending Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat, they would much prefer the latter, or at least that’s what vice president of personnel Chet Kammerer is saying.
“We’re more about having a player contribute immediately,” Kammerer said of the team’s win-now mode. “There’s no question.”
As he delved further into the topic, he revealed that, more or less, they don’t have time to oversee the development of a youngster, especially given the championship position they’re currently in.
“When I say, ‘Our 20,’ that’s because we eliminate people who we really think could be good, but you’re going to have to wait two or three years,” Kammerer said during his annual pre-draft briefing at American Airlines Arena. “We prefer to draft someone because of our situation, someone who can contribute immediately.”
Of course, this is also assuming that the Big Three of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are still there next year as all three get ready to more than likely opt out of their current contracts and test the free agency waters.
But assuming that they are back, you can see the logic in the team desiring someone who can make a smooth transition to becoming a member of one of the most highly publicized teams in all of sports.
To that point, though, it would be beneficial to take someone who could contribute immediately with their no. 26 overall pick should the Big Three not be back together next season to fill the void.