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Complete 2017 NBA Draft grades for all 30 teams

By Gerald Bourguet

Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the stage before the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the stage before the 2017 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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2017 NBA Draft
Jun 22, 2017; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Bam Adebayo (Kentucky) is introduced 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 /

Miami Heat

Bam Adebayo (No. 14)

The Miami Heat have always been a team that prefers to build itself up to contender status through trades or free agency, and the 2017 NBA Draft was yet another example of how they have struggled under Pat Riley in this other area of roster construction.

Bam Adebayo’s not necessarily a bad pick in and of himself, but at the end of the lottery? When most projected him to go a few picks later and he’d be resigned to backup duty behind Hassan Whiteside in Miami? It makes very little sense.

This was the Heat’s only pick of the night, and it was a very underwhelming choice. He’s still only 19 years old and could still surprise some people, but as of right now he’s a very limited big without much skill to speak of.

That newfound shooting ability he apparently showcased during pre-draft workouts is going to have to transfer to the next level, especially since Miami’s biggest need is the 4 and the team might try playing him and Whiteside together.

Grade: D+