NBA

2017 NBA Mock Draft: Who Each Lottery Team Should Pick

Brett Oswalt  —  @bRo14thekid May 18th, 2017
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14. Miami Heat: Lauri Markkanen, PF

Team needs: Power forward production, drawing fouls, free throw shooting

The Miami Heat will enter next season with major playoff aspirations, and why wouldn't they? By net PER, Miami was a plus at three of five positions while boasting two players -- Hassan Whiteside and Goran Dragic -- at a nERD of at least 5.1 on the year.

The free-throw battle, however, is an area of major concern. This season, they ended up 29th in free throws per field goal attempt (.177) and 22nd in opponent free throws per field goal attempt (.220). That margin is alarming, and the result was a -270 point loss in the free throw game. Quite possibly, that was the difference between the lottery and the playoffs.

These needs point directly to Lauri Markkanen, the top prospect remaining on the board. In his one year at Arizona, the versatile seven-footer put up 30 points with 7.1 made free throws per 100 possessions. He shot 83.5% from the line and averaged .439 attempts per field goal attempt. He's the ideal candidate to make up for Miami's -2.8 net PER from the power forward position.

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