NBA Draft 2017: 5 targets for the Miami Heat

1. Justin Jackson, UNC SF

North Carolina’s Justin Jackson likely provides the best fit into the Heat’s lineup, as a talent that can be built up, but also contribute immediately as a starter.

Jackson was a part of UNC’s program for three years, which is rare to see in a day and age where most top players are one-and-done. He’s a mature prospect who has seen some serious success on the court for the Tar Heels, and even led them to a national title.

In his junior year as a Tar Heel, Jackson averaged 18.3 points per game, along with 4.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists, and shot 44 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the arc. He won ACC Player of the Year honors this past season, and would fit into the lineup perfectly at small forward for the Heat.

Jackson also performs well under the big lights, which shows he could transition his game well to the big leagues of the NBA, and potentially in clutch situations in the postseason if it came down to it. In North Carolina’s run to the national title in 2017, he averaged 19.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game, and was a dominant presence on the court.

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While many of the players in the Draft provide unique fits and fill some important needs, Jackson would give the Heat some true leadership right away, even as a rookie. Jackson is a type of player to build a team around, and him and Whiteside together could provide for a solid combination.