No, it likely won’t happen, because of Erik Spoelstra’s disposition toward smaller lineups and because Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier are part of the equation. But the fact that it would even be possible speaks volumes about a fundamental change in approach for the Miami Heat. This season, should they choose or need, the Heat could feature a lineup with five first-round draft picks – but more to the point, with all five being the Heat’s own picks.
Kel’el Ware, Bam Adebayo, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Tyler Herro. With the addition of Ware at No.
15 last month out of Indiana, the Heat exercised a first-round pick in three consecutive drafts for the first time since a four-year run that included Caron Butler (at No. 10 in 2002), Dwyane Wade (No. 5 in 2003), Dorell Wright (No.
19 in 2004) and Wayne Simien (No. 29 in 2005). Yes, there was a time when five homegrown first-rounders on the court would not have stood as extraordinary for the Heat.
But that’s also when victories were an extraordinary challenge at the team’s inception. Back then, in the late ’80s and early ’90s, there were first-rounders such as Rony Seikaly, Kevin Edwards, Glen Rice, Willie Burton, Alec Kessler, Steve Smith and Harold Miner. Back then, there also was a lot of losing.
Then came the Pat Riley era. As in the team president who not only once offered, “To be really honest with you, I’m not a draft-pick guy,” but who also offered, “I think a draft pick every other year is goo.