Miami Heat: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

With the 2017 NBA Draft fast approaching, we take a step back and look at some of the best draft picks in Miami Heat franchise history.

In its somewhat brief history as a franchise, the Miami Heat haven’t had much success in the NBA Draft. That’s not an opinion, but an unfortunate fact.

Thankfully (for Heat fans, at least), they haven’t needed it to excel. Pat Riley has created an organization that prides itself in finding diamonds in the rough and turning them into bonafide contributors.

Just look at Udonis Haslem, Rodney McGruder and Joel Anthony as three examples; that last guy couldn’t even catch a basketball when he arrived to Miami, yet he’s still in the NBA nine years later.

What’s more, on the rare occasion a season is clearly lost early on and Miami would be best served tanking, they refuse to do so. They play to win and attack free agency instead — either chasing superstars or high-value options.

And it’s hard to argue with the results: Three championships and countless other accolades adorn the rafters of AmericanAirlines Arena (along with that oddly-placed Dan Marino jersey).

However, just because Miami hasn’t been great in the draft doesn’t mean there aren’t a few notable exceptions. So with the 2017 NBA draft quickly approaching, let’s look back through history and rank the 10 best draft picks in franchise history.

Honorable mentions:  Josh Richardson (2015), Dorell Wright (2004), Rasual Butler (2002), Eddie House (2000), Kurt Thomas (1995)

NOTE:  We aren’t counting Mario Chalmers because he was technically drafted by the Minnesota Timberwolves and not the Heat. Had we included him, he probably would have placed around…10th. Yeah, that sounds right.