The Miami Heat are looking to address their need at power forward with their first round pick, and appear to have identified a top target.
After working out UCLA's T.J. Leaf on Thursday, the Heat are interested in using the No. 14 pick to draft him, according to Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald.
Leaf, 20, could be on the verge of getting to know the Heat much more intimately.
A gifted scorer and prototypical stretch four in today’s NBA, Leaf worked out privately for the Heat on Thursday and most mock drafts believe he will be available when Miami picks 14th next week.
“Opinions on Leaf are all over the board,” ESPN’s Chad Ford said recently. “He’s one of the most gifted scorers in the class and he has a great feel for the game. [But] he lacks strength and elite lateral quickness, making him a potential liability on the defensive end. However, at this point in the draft [in the teens], anyone a team picks is going to have a glaring weakness or two. Leaf’s ability to get buckets should make him valuable.”
Miami was also hoping to work out Harry Giles yesterday, but he cancelled it this week. He has been heavily linked to the Trail Blazers at No. 15, but could go earlier in the lottery.
Leaf averaged 16.3 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game last season while shooting 61.7 percent from the field and 46.6 percent from three-point range.
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