Ira Winderman: An enticing and diverse menu awaits Heat at No. 15 in NBA draft

MIAMI — After weeks, arguably months or even years, of combing through the possibilities of this coming week’s NBA draft, the process stands as a process of elimination for the Miami Heat.

But with the No. 15 pick (at least for now) in Wednesday night’s first round at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, it also stands as a process of being eliminated.

Because in refusing to be bad enough to draft higher, the Heat again find themselves manning middle ground, just as they did when they selected Bam Adebayo at No. 14 in 2017, Tyler Herro at No. 13 in 2019 and Jaime Jaquez Jr, last year at No. 18.

That means without trading up into the lottery range, something the Heat have never done in their 36 seasons (their highest trade up was for Alec Kessler at No. 12 in 1990, when the lottery was 11 teams deep), it becomes a case of what likely won’t be available for consideration.

To a degree, the Heat already are aware, based on those who have declined workouts with the team.

In addition, there already appears to be a consensus regarding the Heat’s no-draft (at least at No. 15) list, based on the latest mock drafts offered by ESPN, The Ringer and The Athletic.

Going by those boards, six prospects projected to almost assuredly be gone among the Top 10 are:

– French big man Zaccharie Risacher

– Australian big man Alex Sarr.

– UConn center Donovan Clingan

– Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard

– UConn guard Stephon Castle

– Tennessee wing Dalton Knecht

Beyond those six, mentioned either in the top 10 or close to the top 10 in the aforementioned projections are:

– G League wing Matas Buzelis

– Providence guard Devin Carter

– French forward Tidjane Salaun

– Kentucky guard Rob Dillingham

– Serbian guard Nikola Topic

– Colorado wing Cody Williams

– G League guard Ron Holland

Of those latter seven, a slip to the Heat, or beyond, certainly is within the realm, based on need and the perceptions of others.

In that case, it could be as simple as catch a falling star, as was the case with the Heat’s moves at No. 10 to Caron Butler in 2002 and Justise Winslow in 2015.

But for all the consternation of this being a down year for the draft, which it assuredly is at the top, a case could be made for No. 15 being somewhat of a sweet spot if the goal is a contributor in the mold of Jaquez last year or a player with upside for development who could prove essential considering the Heat already have dealt two of their next four first-round picks.

So who logically could be next for the Heat if the aforementioned 13 are off the board?

It actually is an enticing and diverse menu, particularly if the Heat maintain the party line of the best available prospect.

Among the options, baring a late surge by one or more up the board past the Heat’s pick, are:

Duke guard Jared McCain: A 6-foot-2 undersized lights-out shooter who offers passable playmaking and competitive defense for his size. Such a pick would allow the Heat to expand what has become a too two-centric offense

Purdue center Zach Edey: The type of big, big body the Heat have lacked arguably since the Shaquille O’Neal era. While adjustments would be necessary with a 7-4, 300-pound center, Erik Spoelstra generally seems up for any challenge.