Heat won’t overlook smaller guards as draft approaches

The Heat may be chasing a superstar this offseason. That doesn’t mean they’re ignoring the draft.

As Miami continues preparing for the 2026 NBA Draft, assistant general manager Adam Simon suggested the organization won’t automatically rule out prospects simply because they lack ideal size.

“Who doesn’t like length? Who doesn’t like athleticism? Who doesn’t like positional size?” Simon said, via Ira Winderman of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. “But there’s heart and there’s IQ and there’s ability to outplay deficiencies that you might have based on size.”

The comments come as the Heat evaluate lottery prospects and continue searching for ways to improve a roster that finished 10th in the Eastern Conference.

According to Winderman, several smaller guards could be available in the first round, including Alabama’s Labaron Philon Jr., Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson, Louisville’s Mikel Brown Jr., Houston’s Kingston Flemings and Baylor’s Cameron Carr.

Simon pointed to NBA history as evidence that size isn’t everything.

“There are players that aren’t athletic that make it,” he said. “There’s players that are in that size range that become Hall of Famers.”

The timing is interesting.

After team president Pat Riley reiterated his belief that Miami remains capable of returning to contention, the Heat continue to be linked to potential blockbuster pursuits involving Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Whether Miami lands a superstar or not, the organization will also be looking for help through the draft.

And if the right player is available, it sounds like the Heat won’t let a few pounds or a few inches stand in the way.

As Jalen Brunson has shown while leading the Knicks to the NBA Finals, production often matters far more than measurements.