The Miami Heat Beat Big Board: Forwards

This is a re-post from late May….

Your Tankathon simulations were futile. Sorry. The Miami Heat will be drafting 13th.

With that finally being settled, the Heat Beat/Five Reasons crew will be rolling out some piping hot draft #content for you. We — as in myself, Greg “Leif “Sylvander, and Jack Alfonso — will kick things off with some general big boards, covering players that may be available around Miami’s range. We started with the guards and added the wings. Now it’s time to knock out the forwards.

Tier 1

Brandon Clarke, Gonzaga, Junior, Forward, 6’8” 215 lbs

Stats: 16.9 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 1.2 steals, 3.2 blocks, 71/27/69 shooting split

Can you say Miami Heat player? Defensive versatility is the calling card for Gonzaga’s best all around player last season. Clarke possesses the fast twitch athleticism and defensive IQ necessary to be an All-NBA defender. He has that type of upside on defense.

Clarke moves his feet on defense like Bam Adebayo when guarding quicker players and is explosive off the ground, especially on the 2nd or 3rd jump. These physical gifts help offset his lack of size as a projected 4 at the pro level. His versatility also should allow him to defend multiple positions, even as a small ball 5 or oversized 3. Again, the versatility is intriguing. Instincts and ability to slide into pretty much any defensive scheme make him a particularly intriguing option for the always defensive oriented Heat. His success as a pick and roll defender add to his intrigue as it pertains to fitting in Miami.

Clarke’s offensive development, particularly increasing his range to beyond 17 feet, will determine his offensive upside. He may end up a bit like Shawn Marion was as an offensive player, which while limited, can still be valuable. The one downside would be the Heat sorely lack offense and this pick would be almost solely about defense initially.

One scout I spoke with, on the condition of anonymity, said of Clarke: “Incredible finisher, great leaper, super mobile, excellent rim protector and shot blocker, can switch a bit on the perimeter, has some passing chops, shot is not completely broken. He was the 2nd, or at worst 3rd, best player in college basketball this year.”

While I personally think that opinion is probably on the slightly optimistic side for Clarke, it can’t be ignored that Clarke turned heads with his team first play and all around defensive dominance last season. Think Kenyon Martin meets Paul Millsap with a smidge of Jordan Bell, an evolved Taj Gibson and maybe even a little Paskal Siakam from a stylistic perspective. If the offensive scoring punch cannot be acquired at 13, I expect Clarke (if he makes it to 13) to be another primary player of consideration for Miami. -Leif

Tier 2

PJ Washington, Kentucky, Sophomore, Forward, 6’8” 235 lbs

Stats: 15.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.2 blocks, 52/42/66 shooting split

Early indications are the Heat are intrigued by the skill set and potential fit of Washington as a stretch 4 alongside the existing core of #TheKids. The Heat like the offensive versatility that Washington brings to the table. He’s also wiry strong in a way that lends itself to being able to eventually matchup physically with most 4s in the league. Heat strength and conditioning regiments will only further develop the already strong Kentucky forward.

While Washington is undersized in a traditional sense, measuring 6’ 6.5” barefoot and 6’8” in shoes, he has some of the physical traits that are typically coveted by Heat brass, posting 7′ 2.5” wingspan, 8′ 11” standing reach and 6.85% body fat. A front court duo of Adebayo and Washington has the potential to be a potent combination due to both players ability to pass and initiate offense. Heat fans will also recognize Washington’s signature elbow jumper, reminiscent of a similar shot cultivated by Mr. 305 himself Udonis Haslem.

Ball handling and post scoring project to be two of the biggest areas of opportunity for Washington to expand his game. Luckily those are not necessarily the aspects of the PF position necessary to fit alongside the Heat’s core, provided they eventually find a way to add another alpha play maker at another position.

Although some may say #13 may be a bit high for PJ Washington, he is currently among my leaders in the clubhouse should the Heat stay at 13. Although I will caution that is far too early to nail down the most likely candidates at the back of the lottery. Surprises are sure to unfold as the draft nears. That said, Heat fans should get to know PJ Washington. -Leif

Rui Hachimara, Gonzaga, Junior, Forward, 6’8 230

Stats: 19.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 59/42/74 shooting split

It’s easy to see the intrigue with Hachimara. He’s a good athlete with elite measurables (hello, 7’2 wingspan!) and has no issue getting buckets. The Heat not only need a bucket-getter, but a long term option at the 4. Hachimara appears to check those boxes.

He’s a monster in the mid-post with the ability to finish over and through contests. The three-point shot isn’t as good as the numbers advertise, but there’s enough touch there to project plus-impact in that regard.

There are just some very obvious holes that I can’t really get past.

The biggest one: Hachimura has virtually no feel for the game at all.

He’s an absolute train wreck defensively with no real ability to track two actions at the same time. It’s true that he hasn’t played basketball for long, but that’s also part of the problem. You can (mostly) improve your tangible skills with enough reps — ball-handling, shooting, finishing. Feel is a trait that you either have or you don’t. Unless you’re putting Hachimura in a switch-literally-everything scheme so he doesn’t have to think, it’s hard to see him being able to defend well enough to be a real impact player on the next level.

I want no parts. And don’t worry, he’ll be one of the players I break down with film to further hammer home the point. -Nekias

Tier 3

Grant Williams, Tennessee, Junior, Forward, 6’7 236

Stats: 18.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.1 steals, 1.5 blocks, 56/33/82 shooting split

We can get the negatives out of the way early. The perimeter stroke is questionable. Williams is very much a mid-post-and-in type of player. He projects as a 4 at the next level, and his size makes that an odd fit in Miami long term.

What makes Williams intriguing is what makes Hachimura a no-go as a prospect for me. He knows how to play the game. Williams sees the floor incredibly well and can make the skips needed to keep an offense flowing. Add in his ability to finish, and he projects as a guy that can dice teams up in short-roll situations. He’s also a darn good defender that doesn’t mind mixing it up with players with a size advantage.

A Williams selection would make the most sense if the Heat trade back to the 17-21 range. I’m not sure that happens, but he’s a Heat pick if I’ve ever seen it. -Nekias

Cam Johnson, North Carolina, Senior, Forward, 6’9” 210 lbs

Stats: 16.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 5146/81 shooting split

Johnson is an incredibly reliable shooter with beautiful form. In an NBA world where spacing is everything, on a Heat team that has often been desperate for snipers, a guy like Cam who can move well off ball and knock down shots consistently is precious as gold. Ideally, Johnson and J-Rich beyond the arc give Justise and Bam the space they need to work inside.

There are question marks though. I’m not particularly high on his defensive potential. He’s not a great athlete and he’s pretty lanky. He can possibly hold his own on defense, but I’ll be shocked if he’s ever above-average on that end.

The biggest concerns are his health and age. He’s already 23, which is fine, but he wouldn’t give the Heat much upside. He’s also had knee issues and hip surgery that call into question his ability to stay on the floor consistently. There’s a fit in Miami, but I think he’s a guy you trade back for.  -Jack

Mfiondu Kabengele FSU, Sophomore, Forward 6’10, 240 lbs

Stats: 13.2 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.5 blocks, 50/37/76 shooting split

This is another under the radar prospect worth keeping an eye on for Miami. Kabengele is one of the best shooting big men in this draft. He has a nice stroke from mid-range and can also make open threes from everywhere. He’s physically imposing to the point that he is unlikely to be pushed around by very many NBA bigs from day one. His athleticism and potential for a potent face-up game are intriguing.

He reminds me of Serge Ibaka — not as good in the low post, but maybe a bit more versatile. Already being 22 years old may cap his upside, but it doesn’t concern me much. He’s still raw in many ways, so this pick would require patience. However, his combination of NBA frame, strength, and shooting make him worth monitoring. -Leif