NBA
2017 NBA Mock Draft 2.0: How Should the First Round Play Out?
The Philadelphia 76ers will likely make Markelle Fultz the top pick in Thursday's Draft. Who do the numbers tell us should go next?

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

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