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NBA Draft 2019: 5 targets for the Miami Heat

By Trevor Magnotti

BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 09: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers looks on during the game against the Montana State Bobcats at Assembly Hall on November 9, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hoosiers won 80-35. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
BLOOMINGTON, IN - NOVEMBER 09: Romeo Langford #0 of the Indiana Hoosiers looks on during the game against the Montana State Bobcats at Assembly Hall on November 9, 2018 in Bloomington, Indiana. The Hoosiers won 80-35. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Matisse Thybulle #4 of the Washington Huskies celebrates with Jaylen Nowell #5 as they take on the Utah State Aggies during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. The Washington Huskies won 78-61. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OHIO – MARCH 22: Matisse Thybulle #4 of the Washington Huskies celebrates with Jaylen Nowell #5 as they take on the Utah State Aggies during the second half of the game in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Nationwide Arena on March 22, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. The Washington Huskies won 78-61. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

3. Matisse Thybulle, SG, Washington

The Step Back Big Board Ranking: 19

Speaking of good defensive fits, Thybulle’s best fit in the draft is the Miami Heat. If you have worries about Thybulle’s ability to defend in a man-to-man scheme, putting him in Miami’s system and allowing him to play the most zone of any team of the league certainly helps.

Thybulle has the best hands and instincts for playing passing lanes in the draft, and he moves well and anticipates actions better than just about anyone. The 2-3 zone at Washington likely put him in the optimal scenario to utilize his skill set, but it’s not like he’s going to be a bad defender in man-to-man, and his ability to mirror and rotate on defense is going to translate to the NBA level. In Miami, though, getting him at the top of a zone with a back line with Adebayo and Whiteside on it makes him even more fearsome because he’ll be freer to gamble. He would add another dimension of chaos to the Heat’s defensive rotation, and this is probably the best system for Thybulle in man to man, too, because it would put him in a free safety role off the ball, picking off wild passes stemming from the Heat hedging pick and rolls.

Much like Williams, there are questions about offensive fit with Thybulle, as he didn’t show much of an advanced skill set outside of a decent handle going towards the rim. But he has shown flashes as a shooter, and he only needs to be a passable shooter to stay on the floor thanks to his defensive value. It’s easy to trust that the Heat could maximize Thybulle’s offensive talents too, making him a fantastic fit for this team. He’d be a reach in a vacuum, but wouldn’t be in hindsight because he’d be so likely to hit.

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