Miami Heat: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

5. Caron Butler (SF) — No. 10 pick in 2002 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Heat): 146 GP, 12.5 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.5 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 1.9 TOV, 40.2 FG%, 29.5 3P%, 80.2 FT%

If there’s one thing Caron Butler deserves credit for regarding his two-year stint in Miami, it’s that he was one of the main pieces in the package that landed the Heat Shaquille O’Neal in the now-infamous 2004 trade with the Los Angeles Lakers.

But it’d be unfair to belittle his legacy in South Florida to just that one event. After all, the 2003-04 Heat team was one of most memorable in the franchise’s entire history and Butler played a huge role for those guys.

Wait, you remember which team I’m referring to…right?

If you don’t, here’s a quick refresher: They were young, for starters, and coming off a terrible 25-57 campaign. They were very much expected to be bad in 2003-04 too.

Turns out, they weren’t. The Heat bounced back the following season, finishing the year 42-40 and taking down a tough Charlotte Hornets team in a grueling seven-game first round playoff series.

In that opening round bout, Butler averaged 14.7 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.9 steals and 2.1 assists per game while boasting a +39 plus/minus over the seven contests. We probably remember the matchup best for how it ended…

…but Butler’s contributors should not be forgotten, either. He was every bit as responsible for the final outcome. And that, coupled with the long, successful career he enjoyed after his time in Miami (two-time All-Star and eventual NBA champion), helps him land the fifth spot on our list.

(Plus, the whole trading him for Shaq’ thing was pretty cool, too.)