Miami Heat 2007 Draft Preview

By Warren Blatt Jun 20, 2007, 16:35 GMT

- Dwyane Wade and Shaquille O'Neal will try and bounce back from a disappointing 2006-07 campaign when the new seasons rolls around. The Miami Heat, who defeated the Dallas Mavericks in six games during the 2006 NBA Finals, won the Southeast Division with a 44-38 record and were swept in the first round of the playoffs by the Chicago Bulls.

Wade underwent a pair of successful surgeries after the playoffs. The operations were to repair his dislocated left shoulder and his left patella tendon. Despite missing a total of 31 games due to injury this past season, the All-Star guard led Miami in scoring, a franchise-record 27.4 points per game, assists (7.5 apg) and steals (2.1 spg).

Shaq played in just 40 games and averaged 17.3 points and 7.4 rebounds, while Udonis Haslem, Jason Kapono and Jason Williams all posted double-digits in scoring.

The Heat are a veteran club. They need some youth and should be able to add a solid player with the 20th overall pick. There are plenty of question marks with Miami's roster. Alonzo Mourning, Eddie Jones, Gary Payton, Antoine Walker and Williams are all on the down side, and it would not be shocking if some of them are not with Miami next season.

A point guard is the way to go at No. 20 for Miami. Jarvaris Crittenton of Georgia Tech, Texas A&M's Acie Law, USC's Gabe Pruitt and Daequan Cook of Ohio State will be some of the players the Heat will be eyeing.

The 20th pick is important for Miami. The Heat need help for the future, and will have done their homework when making the selection.

Key Player(s): Udonis Haslem (Forward), Eddie Jones (Forward/Guard), Jason Kapono (Forward), Alonzo Mourning (Center), Shaquille O'Neal (Center), Gary Payton (Guard), James Posey (Forward), Dwyane Wade (Guard), Antoine Walker (Forward), Jason Williams (Guard).

Team Needs: Point guard, youth, depth in the backcourt, consistent outside shooter.

Draft picks: 1st round (20th overall), 2nd round (39th overall).

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