5. Frank Jackson, PG, Duke
Though the Heat don’t really need a backup point guard, acquiring one for cheap wouldn’t hurt either. One way to do just that is through the draft, with a second round prospect like Frank Jackson.
The former Duke Blue Devil spent one year at the blue blood program. In 2016-17, he averaged 10.9 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.7 assists nightly — mundane numbers, if we’re being totally honest, and a stat line that subtlety said: Maybe this guy should spend a second season in college?
However, Jackson used a late-year run of superb play to boost his NBA prospects. Over his last nine games, eight of which were starts, the young floor general upped his numbers to 14.9 points, 3.6 boards and 1.4 dimes per game on 50.9 percent shooting overall. In that span, he attempted 3.8 three-pointers per contest and made exactly 50 percent of them.
His best performance came on Feb. 28, when he dropped a 22-point and four-rebound stat line on Florida State’s above-average defense.
At the combine, Jackson measured in at 6-foot-4, with a 6-foot-7.5 wingspan — excellent measures for a modern-day lead guard. His mature game and solid scoring ability make him an excellent prospect to land after pick No. 30.
There is some speculation, though, that he may not fall that far. Most expected Jackson to test the pro waters at the combine, before ultimately choosing to return to Duke for his sophomore season. Considering he didn’t do that, many now believe he received a first round promise from a team picking in the 20s.
But if that somehow isn’t the case and he does fall into the second round, he’d be a very intriguing option for Miami.