Miami Heat: A look back at NBA Draft history before 2017

The Miami Heat will be very active during the 2017 NBA Draft. But before we get there, let’s look back at the team’s draft history.

The Miami Heat own one pick in the 2017 NBA Draft — No. 14 overall. There’s a chance they buy their way into the second round, much like they did in 2013 for James Ennis, but for now, they’re slotted to select just once.

Although Miami historically hasn’t had much luck in the draft, there are reasons to think they can turn that around. For one, the 2017 draft class is one of the deepest in recent memory. At worst, Pat Riley and Co. should be able to find an adequate role player, even at No. 14.

What’s more, I have a hunch that the addition of Shane Battier — who was hired back in February to head an analytics department for the Heat, and has been involved with the scouting process this offseason — will pay major dividends sooner rather than later.

Plus, it just has to be time for the franchise’s poor luck in the draft to turn around. There’s no way it can continue to be this bad…right?

Heat’s porous recent history in the first round

Let’s take a look at the Heat’s last 10 first round picks, in order:

• 2015 – Justise Winslow
• 2014 – Shabazz Napier (via trading away the draft rights of P.J. Hairston)
• 2008 – Michael Beasley (Sigh.)
• 2007 – Daequan Cook (via trading away the draft rights to Jason Smith)
• 2005 – Wayne Simien
• 2004 – Dorell Wright
• 2003 – Dwyane Wade
• 2002 – Caron Butler
• 1999 – Tim James
• 1997 – Charles Smith

So…yeah. Not a great batch of names, aside from one.

The jury’s still out on Winslow, though he’s shown flashes of being a versatile, defensive-minded combo forward — an extremely useful asset to have in today’s NBA. Napier improved playing for the Portland Trail Blazers this season, but the fact that he’s on his third team in three years is telling.

Miami Heat

We don’t have to get into Beasley’s career. Safe to say he was a huge bust, though. (And the Heat took him ahead of Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love. Yes, I know it made sense at the time. I don’t care. Inexcusable!)

Cook had an all right career as a shooter, but his lack of defense and limited athleticism were his undoing, and he was out of the NBA by 2014. Simien, meanwhile, played exactly 507 minutes for the Heat over two seasons and never saw the court again (for anyone) afterward.

Then there’s Wright, who holds a special place in Heat fans’ hearts. He was drafted out of high school, spent six years in Miami and was the beloved young guy on the 2006 championship team. He never amounted to much as an actual player, but he did enjoy an 11-year career, which is nothing to scoff at.

Wade is someone we don’t need to elaborate on; simply put, he’s the greatest player in franchise history.

Butler only spent two years in South Florida, but had a long career and was named to two All-Star teams. By Heat standards, that makes him an extraordinary draft selection. And finally, James only played for Miami for three seasons, while Smith spent a large majority of his career overseas.

Historical good picks at No. 14

Though we’re trying to spin the 2017 NBA Draft in a positive light (because positivity — and prayer — are the only ways we can turn this horrid luck around), there is another reason to be slightly worried about how it’s going to go for Miami. And that’s because historically, the No. 14 pick hasn’t yielded many memorable players.

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Looking over the last 36 drafts, dating back to 1980, only four times has the 14th pick produced a legitimate star: Clyde Drexler in 1983 (Hall of Famer), Dan Majerle in 1986, Tim Hardaway in 1989 and Peja Stojakovic in 1996. (Maybe it’s a good omen that two of those guys ended up playing big roles for the Heat later in their careers?)

Apart from them, there have been a few decent role players selected at that spot, as well. Troy Murphy (2001), Luke Ridnour (2003), Kris Humphries (2004), Ronnie Brewer (2006), Patrick Patterson (2010) and Marcus Morris (2011) all had, or are currently experiencing, respectable careers.

Furthermore, five out of those seven players were serviceable power forwards, which is presently Miami’s biggest need; could that be yet another good omen? Nah, probably not.

Still, 10 good-to-great players out of 36 is not a very promising clip. There are, however, various enticing options for the Heat in the 2017 class.

Next: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in Miami Heat history

And with some luck (and more of that prayer), Miami will be able to add, at the very least, a solid year-one contributor through the upcoming draft.