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2017 NBA Draft: Biggest winners and losers

By Max Holm

Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dribbles the ball against Chicago Bulls forward Jimmy Butler (21) during the second half at the United Center. Minnesota defeats Chicago 99-94. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Bam Adebayo (Kentucky) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number fourteen overall pick to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Bam Adebayo (Kentucky) is introduced by NBA commissioner Adam Silver as the number fourteen overall pick to the Miami Heat in the first round of the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Biggest Loser #4: Miami Heat

When the dominos started falling early in the first round, it was clear the Miami Heat weren’t going to have an easy choice at No. 14. No one really slid. Donovan Mitchell and Luke Kennard went right before them, taking the near-consensus top-13 players off the table.

This was the part of the draft heavy with big men and the Heat, as everyone knows, have Hassan Whiteside on a massive deal. While he is their only major productive center, the Heat could have tried to acquire any of the bigs that fell into the second round or gone after someone cheap in free agency.

Instead they took Bam Adebayo. Adebayo is not a lottery pick-level talent. He has a tremendous motor and could turn into a good defensive center, but that’s about it. Other than crashing the offensive glass, he has next to no skill. There’s certainly a place for him in the NBA and he likely deserved a first round pick, but not in the lottery. Not for Miami. The fit is just not great here.

Pat Riley could have taken a gamble on either Harry Giles or OG Anunoby, or a player who could play with Whiteside. This pick was really puzzling and what was more disappointing is it was their only pick of the night. Even despite a really solid second round of talent, the Heat decided to stand pat.