Fansided

2019 NBA Mock Draft: When trades enter the equation

By Brendon Kleen

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Smoothie King Center on February 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Philadelphia 76ers won the game 111 - 110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - FEBRUARY 25: Anthony Davis #23 of the New Orleans Pelicans stands on the court during the second half of a game against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Smoothie King Center on February 25, 2019 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Philadelphia 76ers won the game 111 - 110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 23: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a dunk against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 23, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA – FEBRUARY 23: Nassir Little #5 of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts after a dunk against the Florida State Seminoles during the first half of their game at the Dean Smith Center on February 23, 2019 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

110. . F. Heat. Nassir Little. 13. player

We’re balking as the draft combine and team workouts approach, as it just seems too crazy that Little falls out of the lottery after beginning the year in the conversation with Zion Williamson, R.J. Barrett and Cam Reddish for the top overall pick. Of course, Williamson has solidified himself at No. 1 and Ja Morant leapfrogged several guys on his way to becoming a near lock for the top three. But Little falling from atop that mountain all the way out of the lottery is too far-fetched for someone with his talent.

NBA teams will have wanted to see more from him making plays with the ball in his hands in the halfcourt, but could observe those shot creation skills during the pre-draft process this month. He rarely got those opportunities on a stacked North Carolina roster, and did impact several important games in the open court as a finisher and playmaker.

Miami is one of the more difficult teams to read at this point in the summer because they don’t have a lot of cap space or draft capital to upgrade their team, but are a lock to push for a .500 record every year. The Heat also have a few good young players under contract long-term, making the situation far less dire than for, say, the Wizards.

Adding Little to that group sharpens Miami’s identity as an athletic, skilled group of players with long arms and active playing styles. He would join Derrick Jones Jr., Josh Richardson, Bam Adebayo and Justise Winslow to create a fascinating modern core.

Check out our full scouting report on Nassir Little.

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