Hoops Habit
Fansided

Miami Heat: Ranking the franchise’s last 10 first-round picks

By Sam DiGiovanni

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 14: Bam Adebayo #13, Justise Winslow #20, and Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat look on against the Atlanta Hawks during a pre-season game on October 14, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 14: Bam Adebayo #13, Justise Winslow #20, and Tyler Herro #14 of the Miami Heat look on against the Atlanta Hawks during a pre-season game on October 14, 2019 at American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. 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 2019 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 8
Next

10. Tim James

  • Drafted 25th overall in 1999
  • Years in Miami: one

Tim James had the chance to be the basketball legend for the city of Miami. He played basketball at Miami Northwestern High School and then played four years at the University of Miami, earning two All-Big East First Team nominations and having his number 40 jersey retired. The Heat drafted the 6’7″ forward 25th overall after finishing first in the Eastern Conference the previous season.

James never amounted to anything in his NBA career. He only appeared in only four games with the Heat, recording 11 points and four rebounds in total. Just a year after drafting James, Miami included him in a trade with the Charlotte Hornets. James played 30 games with them and then nine with the Philadelphia 76ers the next year, and his career was over after that.

Miami didn’t miss out on anyone special by passing on James. The team did, however, still end up with one of the draft class’s best prospects just four years later. Lamar Odom, the fourth overall pick, signed with Miami as a free agent in 2003.

Related Story. 3 main characters from The Last Dance week 2. light

9. Charles Smith

  • Drafted 26th overall in 1997
  • Years in Miami: one

Before James, the Heat selected a different four-year college player who would achieve nothing at the professional level. Charles Smith, a 6’4″ guard from New Mexico, became a member of the Heat in the 1997 draft.

Smith played in just 11 games for Miami, collectively scoring total10 points on 4-18 shooting. In February of 1998, the Heat dealt away Smith in a trade package for Brent Barry. Smith would play four more seasons in the NBA with four different teams before retiring. He also spent a couple of years playing overseas with stints in China, Italy and Greece.

By opting for Smith, Miami missed out on Stephen Jackson, a 14-year NBA veteran who averaged 20 points per game in three straight seasons. However, it shouldn’t be considered a big miss, as he was taken 42nd overall.

Home/Miami Heat