NBA Draft 2017: 5 targets for the Miami Heat

Apr 12, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Miami Heat guard Goran Dragic (center) greets Heat center Hassan Whiteside (left) and Heat guard Wayne Ellington (right) during a timeout in the second half against the Washington Wizards at American Airlines Arena. The Heat won 110-102. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

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March 18, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Arizona Wildcats forward Lauri Markkanen (10) moves the ball against Saint Mary’s Gaels center Evan Fitzner (21) during the first half in the second round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Lauri Markkanen, Arizona PF

Arizona’s Lauri Markkanen probably won’t fall low enough in the first night of the Draft for the Heat to pick him up, but he’d provide a solid fit if he somehow makes his way to Miami.

Markkanen averaged 15.6 points and 7.2 rebounds a game, and the 20-year old freshman helped Arizona land a No. 2 seed last March, before an upset loss to Xavier in the Sweet Sixteen.

The former Wildcat gives an immediate impression of a guy like Dirk Nowitzki, as he’s a talent that has some serious size, but some serious skills to go alongside it. He put up solid numbers from 3-point range, and is a 7-footer that can face-up and attack his man off the dribble or shoot over the top of the defense.

Markkanen would give a nice balance for the Heat’s big men, as he’d give the scorer’s touch while Hassan Whiteside dominated the boards. If the Heat can sign a star shooting guard or small forward, while starting a core of successful big men, they could become a serious threat in the East for years to come.

Now, one of the main reasons why the Heat will likely be unable to get Markkanen onto their roster is because he’s likely to go higher. However, if he falls to No. 14 somehow, don’t be surprised if the Heat come in and swoop him up to work alongside Whiteside down low.

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