NBA Draft 2023: 3 perfect picks for the Miami Heat at No. 18

Michigan guard Jett Howard (13) celebrates a 3-point basket with guard Kobe Bufkin (2) against Ohio State during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023.
Michigan guard Jett Howard (13) celebrates a 3-point basket with guard Kobe Bufkin (2) against Ohio State during the first half at Crisler Center in Ann Arbor on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. /
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(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images) /

Perfect NBA Draft picks for the Miami Heat: 2. Jett Howard

Jett Howard’s draft stock has seemed to slip since the middle of the college season. He was initially pegged as a lottery pick but has slid out of that range on most mocks and will almost certainly be available for the Heat at No. 18.

The 6-foot-8 wing (and son of Juwan Howard) is a fantastic outside shooter in almost every setting you’d want to see — static spot-ups, running off screens and shooting off the dribble. He has some potential as a secondary creator although a lot of that will lean on the threat of him as a pull-up shooter in the mid-range because he’s not quite explosive enough to put consistent pressure on the rim operating out of the pick-and-roll. He is an off-ball shooter and complementary threat but probably doesn’t have the versatility or tools to be a star at either end.

That lack of versatility is part of the reason he has slid, along with defensive concerns, but he could be a plug-and-play option for the Heat, even as a rookie, if they lose Strus and/or Vincent in free agency. His jumper is an NBA-ready weapon and can keep him in the rotation as he develops as a defender and creator.

Check out our full scouting report on Jett Howard for more information.