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Miami Heat: A look back at NBA Draft history before 2018

By Matthew Hallett

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 16: Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, Mark Tatum announces the Miami Heat's 14th pick during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 16: Deputy Commissioner of the NBA, Mark Tatum announces the Miami Heat's 14th pick during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery at the New York Hilton in New York, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Miami Heat made the playoffs this season with a collection of bits and pieces players. This season they do not have any draft picks to help reload for next season.

After a season where the Miami Heat surprised many by finishing on top of the Southeast division, they do not have any draft picks to move up the Eastern Conference ladder.

The first round pick they would’ve qualified for is the No. 16 pick, which was traded to the Phoenix Suns back in 2015 when the Heat acquired Goran Dragic. This pick was top-seven protected, but as the Heat finished in the playoffs this season, the pick conveyed.

The second round pick the Heat would have had was pick No. 46. This pick was traded back in 2016 as part of the Chris Andersen trade and now belongs to the Houston Rockets.

However, there is always the chance that the Heat will make a move that gets them into the draft. If the Heat do get into the draft, they tend to give their youngsters a good chance to prove themselves on the roster.

Drafted players still on the roster

It started back in 2003 when the Heat drafted franchise cornerstone Dwyane Wade with the fifth overall pick. With the exception of his rookie year, Wade was an All-Star in every season he played with the Heat in his first stint.

He did spend a season with the Chicago Bulls and then half a season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but he returned at the end of last season.

In 2015, the Heat selected defensive specialist Justise Winslow at No. 10.  The 6’7″ combo forward has developed nicely, starting 25 of his 68 games last season. The Heat picked up his team option for the 2018-19 season, thus continuing his development.

That same year, the Heat selected Josh Richardson. The 6’6″ shooting guard was taken with pick No.  40 in the 2015 NBA Draft. Richardson has developed into a quality starter, actually starting every one of his 81 games last season.

The fourth draft pick still on their roster is Bam Adebayo, who was taken with the 14th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. The rookie played in 69 games last season, starting 19 of them. If the Heat move on from Hassan Whiteside, Adebayo has the potential to be a long-term replacement.

Wheeling and dealing

Despite having more than a quarter of their team as players who have been drafted by the Heat, they do trade their picks often. They have been in the situation where they have not had draft picks five times since 1996. This equates to just under a quarter of their drafts in this period where the Heat have not had a pick.

Three of these times have been in the last seven years. If the Heat do not make a trade to get into this draft it will be four times in the last eight years they have not had a pick.

Next: 5 biggest takeaways from the 2018 NBA Finals

During this time, the Heat have been to the NBA Finals four times, winning them twice. They have only missed the playoffs twice in this time. This means that something has been going right for the franchise, draft picks or not.

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