2017 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: How Should the First Round Play Out?

14. Miami Heat: Lauri Markkanen, PF/C

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

If Miami returns some key players, all signs point up heading into 2017-18. But if James Johnson walks out the door, that could leave the Heat even more vulnerable at the three and four, where they ceded a margin of 5.4 points per game to their opponents this season.

If Markkanen happens to be available, that shouldn't present as big of a problem as it could, though. The seven-footer -- equipped with a knack for drawing fouls (.439 free throws per field goal attempt) and pouring in the points, 30 per 100 possessions) -- would fit perfectly next to Hassan Whiteside, a more traditional seven-foot center. In doing so, he'd help to increase the Heat's own bottom-dwelling free throw rate (.220) and offensive production (103.2 points per game).

Previous mock: Lauri Markkanen