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Optimal outcome could be Heat catching a shooting star in NBA draft

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Optimal outcome could be Heat catching a shooting star in NBA draft

MIAMI – If recency bias proves prevalent in the NBA draft, the process that begins with Wednesday night’s first round could be as simple as teams, including the Miami Heat, taking their best shot.

With the Boston Celtics steamrolling their way to the championship with a five-out approach heavily reliant on spacing and 3-point shooting, the two-day draft could turn into a referendum on catching a shooting star.

“It’s part of finding a well-rounded player, the ability to do as many things as they can,” said Adam Simon, the Heat’s vice president of basketball operations and assistant general manager, who oversees the team’s draft.

And such prospects potentially could be there for the Heat should they hold their spot at No. 15, including Kentucky’s Rob Dillingham, Duke guard Jared McCain, Colorado’s Tristan de Silva and the University of Miami’s Miami’s Kyshawn George.

When the Heat drafted Nikola Jovic at No. 27 in 2022, it was with an eye on floor spacing. Such also was the case with Tyler Herro at No. 13 in 2019. But over the years, shooting hasn’t necessarily stood as an ultimate draft focus, at least since Glen Rice was selected at No. 4 in 1989, with Daequan Cook in 2007 among the exceptions.

Instead, the team’s shooting specialists largely have been developed or added as low-cost free agents, from Jason Kapono to James Jones to Wayne Ellington to Duncan Robinoson, and most recently Cole Swider on a two-way contract this past season.

Still, a case could be made that help is needed in that aspect. Herro, the Heat’s best 3-point shooter last season at .396, finished 46th in the NBA, with Duncan Robinson 49th at .395, Terry Rozier 108th at .363 and Kevin Love 138th at .344, among players with enough attempts to be ranked among the league leaders. (Jimmy Butler was .414 with just 60 conversions, Jovic at .399 on 65.)

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