14. Miami Heat- T.J. Leaf- PF- UCLA
The Miami Heat are in an unusual position these days. After losing Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh last offseason, most experts thought it would be a bad season for the Heat. Fast forward to now, and Miami missed the playoffs on the final day of the regular season and will get Justise Winslow back from an injury that allowed him to play in just 18 games last season.
The Heat could probably most use a power forward they can pair with Hassan Whiteside or a point guard to run the team when they move on from Goran Dragic. By this selection no point guard stands out, so the Heat will have to look in a different direction.
Why T.J. Leaf?
Playing next to Hassan Whiteside, who is an excellent rebounder, defender, and presence in the paint on both ends of the floor calls for a stretch four who can space and create matchup issues for the opposition. Enter Leaf who nailed 46.6% of his three-point attempts last season for the Bruins. The fit is perfect for Leaf as well. Draft Express questions his defensive game, but playing next to Whiteside will probably mask some of his deficiencies. Picking Leaf appears to be a solid fit for both the team and the player in my opinion.
Leaf could be thrust into some immediate playing time if James Johnson departs in free agency. Udonis Haslem and Derrick Williams are also free agents, so expect some offseason moves from Miami to improve their power forward position.
*Miami has a 0.5% chance of having the number one overall selection