Only a few teams are still kicking in the 2025 NBA Playoffs, and as a result, the lion’s share of the 30 squads in the league can shift their attention to the offseason. As always, one of the more significant events of the offseason is the draft, and the Miami Heat are slated to make one first-round pick this year.
Notably, the Heat own the No. 20 overall pick and zero second-round picks. However, at the combine, they reportedly interviewed Marquette University’s Kam Jones, who multiple draftniks see as a second-round prospect, and came away “impressed.”Sylvander also reported via Discord that Jones is one of three players who have come up the most in conversations about who the Heat could select at No. 20, along with Michigan State University’s Jase Richardson and Saint Joseph’s University’s Rasheer Fleming.
Jones was a member of the Golden Eagles for every one of his four seasons playing college basketball and was easily the team’s best all-around player in his senior season, the 2024-25 campaign. He led the squad in points and assists per game and also averaged the second-most rebounds per game of any Golden Eagle.
In addition, the 23-year-old guard was named an All-American in his final collegiate season as he led a Marquette squad that qualified for the NCAA Tournament. Marquette actually made the NCAA Tournament in all four of Jones’ seasons with the program.
Even though it seems as if Miami is indeed very bullish on Jones, from a value perspective, perhaps it would be a smart move for the team to not select him, at least not with the No. 20 pick.The Heat could maybe get away with playing the waiting game to see where he lands in the draft, and should he fall to the second round as some folks predict, they could perhaps acquire a second-round pick to try to get him at a more appropriate slot.
Either way, Miami is clearly eyeing some prospects as the draft approaches, and whatever direction the franchise goes, the Heat will hope to have some new life going into next season after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign.
