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Sari's Gallery

HEAT Draft Index

Dancer Gallery 13

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As the June 24 NBA Draft edges closer and closer, the Miami HEAT scouts’ yearlong travels evaluating basketball talent in high schools, colleges and abroad is coming to a close, as they are working around the clock and preparing to make three intelligent draft selections. One will come in the first round at No. 19, while the second and third picks will take place in the second round at No. 47 and No. 53.

While the past two summers the HEAT have selected much higher in the first round (Caron Butler picked 10th in 2002 and Dwyane Wade picked fifth in 2003), the 19th pick is still very significant in that the past, talent that has come from a 19th selection has proven very noteworthy.

Many NBA success stories have come from the 19th pick, some who have even proven to exceed their draft predecessors in game-time minutes, points, rebounds and a variety of other impressive statistics and accolades. Included on the list of notables are Jamaal Magliore, 2004 NBA All-Star selected by the Hornets in 2000, Zach Randolph, 2004 NBA Most Improved Player Award recipient selected by the Trail Blazers in 2001 and 15-year veteran Rod Strickland, who racked up 14,445 career points and 7,977 career assists and was selected by the Knicks in 1998, just to name a few.

Interestingly, some of today’s best NBA players were selected even after 19 in their draft year, including Derek Fisher (selected 24th by the Lakers in 1996), Michael Finley (selected 21st by the Suns in 1995), Latrell Sprewell (selected 24th by the Warriors in 1992), Tony Parker (selected 28th by the Spurs in 2001), Bobby Jackson (selected 23rd by the SuperSonics in 1997), Andrei Kirilenko (selected 24th by the Jazz in 1999), Sam Cassell (selected 24th by the Rockets in 1993), Vlade Divac (selected 26th by the Lakers in 1989) and Tayshaun Prince (selected 23rd by the Pistons in 2002).

Focusing just as heavily on the second round, the HEAT will select two more times. The 53rd pick will complete the 2001 agreement when the HEAT traded Tim Hardaway to Dallas in a sign-and-trade deal in which they acquired a second-round draft choice in 2003 or 2004 and a trade exception. Again proving how crucial even a late selection may be, HEAT forward and sharp shooter Rasual Butler was selected 53rd by the HEAT in 2002.

Excited to add a few new faces to the HEAT’s roster, it’s only a matter of time before HEAT fans will have three more players to cheer on as the HEAT continue its climb to the top.