Miami Heat: 5 options for pick No. 14 in 2017 NBA Draft

4. Justin Jackson, SF, North Carolina

From a player out of one blue blood program to one from its arch-rival, North Carolina’s Justin Jackson places fourth on our hypothetical Heat draft board.

The 6-foot-8 small forward had a solid showing at the combine. He shot the ball well and represented himself wonderfully in interviews. I’m sort of assuming that last part, but considering how well he handled these questions from Draft Express, I’m sure he did similarly well when questioned by NBA teams.

Some fans are opposed to Jackson because he signifies the safe pick, a trigger term for those who follow the draft closely every year. Fans often prefer swinging for the fences instead of going for the more secure option. And that’s okay…in certain situations.

But Miami’s circumstances are different. Their best player (Dragic) is already 31. And as a team, they were pretty damn good this season once they got healthy. Maybe it’d be most prudent to add a sure thing like Jackson and see what you can do after bringing this core back for another go next year.

Moreover, the one thing the Heat lacked even at their peak was more size at the 3. Winslow will be back from injury this summer so that need will be alleviated just a bit. But if he were to go down again, who would take over for him? Rodney McGruder?

Miami needs a more viable option. And though Jackson’s upside isn’t as high as some of his counterparts, he can space the floor, distribute and capably defend bigger wings. He’d be the safe pick, sure, but we shouldn’t stigmatize that term so harshly.