NBA Draft 2019: Top 3 options for Miami Heat to select with 13th pick

Bol Bol – Oregon

Before you go any further, watch this video below about Bol Bol.

You finished? Bol Bol, the son for former 7’7 NBA center Manute Bol comes in at third on my potential players Miami should target.

I previously talked about Romeo Lanford, and how he replaces Dwyane Wade and starts a new era for this Heat team, I mentioned Rui Hachimura and explained how if the Heat were to try to compete and draft based on team need how he’d be the best option. So where does Bol fit into this? This is simply just out of love for Bol Bol and the immense upside he brings to the table. I think he has the second most upside in the draft.

Bol was ranked 4th by 24/7 sports as far as recruiting goes, and for good reason.

The 7’2 230 pound center can handle the ball just as good as both players I’ve listed on this list. He can score from all three levels. Bol is a guy you can run your offense through. Give the ball to the 7’2 athletic freak at the top of the key and watch him face up and go to work. He’s tall enough that he can shoot over a defender, and is able to also give his defender a head fake get his defender to bite and blow past him with his absolute unreal speed and ball handling ability for his size.

What about defense? In a limited Sample size in college Bol was able to produce 0.8 steals a game, along with 2.7 blocks a contest. His speed and athleticism allows him to be able to guard players at the power forward position, and can hold his own when switched onto a guard.

Down low he isn’t the strongest, but uses his length, athleticism, and good timing skills to block or alter shots.

Where can he improve?

Where Bol can improve is in his strength. The 7’2 big man only averaged 9.6 rebound’s per game in college, which isn’t bad at all, but if he were stronger and didn’t get pushed around as much he could position himself better to get more rebounds. Added muscle would also allow him to get to his spots easier on offense and become even more of a threat on defense

NBA Comparison: Kristaps Porzingis

Thats right. Bol Bol has superstar potential. Bol has all the intangibles the unicorn has.

Height, length, athleticism, ball handling ability, shooting touch, and the ability to block and alter shots. They’re also built very similarly as Kristaps stands at 7’3 240 pounds. Porzingis was selected 4th overall, and the Heat can potentially select Bol who has an eerily similar game at pick 13.

But wait! There’s more! Bol Bol also has a similar skill set that a former 2nd overall pick, MVP, Scoring champion and NBA champion.

They call him the slim reaper. Kevin Durant. Lets break down what was said of KD as he was entering the NBA draft.

He could score with a variety of moves, could get to his spots down low or score from outside, consistency from mid range, can defend outside and inside with his length and timing and athleticism, can create a mismatch with his height, but has the skills to not rely on his size alone. Another thing they said about KD? He needed to gain weight and get stronger to be elite at the next level. All of those things are similar about Bol Bol as well. Of course KD has more guard in him and Bol has more post player in him, but the comparisons still remain true.

Bol would be a player Miami could take at 13 that offers them SUPERSTAR potential. They could start him at the four alongside Bam Adebayo or Whiteside. Whichever one is starting for Miami next season.

It’s a dawn of a new era for Miami Heat fans, as their franchise player leaves, and now its time for the team to draft them a player to jump-start their rebuild and build to compete in the future.

What do you think Miami should do with pick 13? Draft a need and try to compete in the East right now to prevent a rebuild and get Rui Hachimura? Draft a guy to potentially replace Dwyane Wade as the franchises cornerstone player in Romeo Langford even though they don’t have a desperate need in that position? Or draft Bol Bol who can be both a need and a potential franchise player.

I’d like to know your thoughts! Interact with me on Twitter @Thelob_trenton.