The Miami Heat's Draft Board: Guard Edition

This 6'5, 190 pound point guard out of Louisville would surely be a top 8 pick if it wasn't for some back injuries that derailed his freshman season.

The talent is undoubtedly there. An elite play-maker off the bounce after a season with a ton of responsibility. Some try and discredit his decision making due to some turnovers, but it's natural when discussing high usage guards at the college level.

It's the same thing they said about the Heat's most recent rookie Kasparas Jakucionis back at Illinois.

Brown Jr shot 34% from three this season, but don't let that number think his three ball isn't a top attribute of his. He's a tough shot maker that can knock down perimeter shots both off the dribble and off the catch.

When it comes to this guard class, he's just one of those guys that's extremely under control and can sort of project what he could be at the pro level.

His floor seems high enough to play now, but his youth means the upside is a big time plus as well.

If Mikel Brown Jr slips, I can see Miami jumping on it totally.

Two other names to bunch up as possibilities would be Labaron Philon and Cameron Carr.

Philon often finds himself projected higher in most mock drafts, and that's because this 6'2 point guard out of Alabama showcased a ton of his skillset in his sophomore season. The finishing was up and down his freshman year as the secondary creator next to Mark Sears, but it took a huge jump this past season.

Usage rose, attempts rose, and somehow efficiency rose.

Philon took six threes a game and knocked down 40% of them. He's a really strong pick and roll player and has shown some defensive upside when guarding his position.

This isn't a bad swing if Miami is eyeing down some offensive talent to pair with Jakucionis in the back-court for the future.

While Philon is the on-ball guy, Cameron Carr is interesting for the opposite reasons.

He's a really strong outside shooter off the catch, similarly knocking down 37% of his threes on 6 attempts. But when you really watch these attempts, he shoots them from absolutely anywhere with unlimited range.

Carr really impressed at the combine: not just due to his scoring punch in the scrimmages, but also due to this 6'5 guard measuring a near 7'1 wingspan.

If you dive into his film, the athleticism jumps off the page. He creates highlight dunks with his leaping ability, and seems to project as a high level off-ball player due to his shot and lob ability on back cuts.

Both these guys have a decently high upside for different reasons, and it'll come down to what Miami's scouting department values most.

Some other guys that will get some consideration include Brayden Burries, Ebuka Okorie, and Christian Anderson.

Burries is projected the highest, often in the top 10, but his secondary and complementary scoring for Arizona would make you believe his best impact would come with a team with an established number one option.

But it is important to note Miami's recent track record of scouting Arizona hard.

Okorie and Anderson are projected closer to 20 in this draft and both are undersized point guards, but their speed, shiftiness, and offensive punch is worth the look.

I'm not sure the Miami Heat are eager to go guard with this pick, but if the best player on that big board happens to be in that position group, they won't force a pick in another direction.

They will instinctively take that guy.