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Which prospects do pundits have the Miami Heat selecting in the 2026 NBA Draft? (Photo courtesy of the Illinois Athletic Department)<\/p>\nWhich prospects do pundits have the Miami Heat selecting in the 2026 NBA Draft? (Photo courtesy of the Illinois Athletic Department)<\/p>\n
We are less than two months away from the start of the 2026 NCAA Tournament. Can you already believe it?! We are still far out \u2014 153 days, to be exact! \u2014 from the 2026 NBA Draft. But it\u2019s never too early to be talking about the next crop of prospects.<\/p>\n
The Miami Heat are expected to have one pick in this year\u2019s draft, which is one of the deepest guard classes we\u2019ve had in a long time. Who do pundits have the Miami Heat selecting?! Let\u2019s examine!<\/p>\n
\u201cWagler has been an irreplaceable player on a quality Illinois team, having a winning impact with limited high-level experience and putting himself on the map as a prospect. While still developing as an on-ball playmaker, his connective play and perimeter shotmaking (41.2% from 3), coupled with plus positional size, have put him in the first-round conversation. As a late-blooming prospect with obvious NBA appeal, the question revolves more around whether he is better off turning pro this year or returning to school and polishing his skills as a ball handler.\u201d<\/p>\n
Where Matt Hanifan currently<\/a> has him ranked on his way-too-early big board: 17<\/p>\n *********************<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s getting tougher to automatically cap Christian Anderson\u2019s ceiling due to physical or athletic limitations. He\u2019s emerged as one of the top shooting prospects in the draft, now at 45.3 percent from three after making 8-of-10 against Baylor. A 33.5 assist percentage also reflects promising passing IQ, and though he isn\u2019t the flashiest playmaker, Anderson makes most of the right\/basic kick-and-out and ball screen reads within a set.\u201d<\/p>\n Where Matt currently has him ranked on his way-too-early big board: 21<\/p>\n *********************<\/p>\n Where Matt currently has him ranked on his way-too-early big board: 24<\/p>\n *********************<\/p>\n \u201cPhilon\u2019s competitive fire and two-way play would bring another viable impact guard to Miami. There are understandably still some skeptics about Philon\u2019s three-point shooting jump on more volume (31.5% on 3.4 3PA to 36.3% on 5.3 3PA), but the production and confidence are undeniable. Whether or not you believe \u201cHeat Culture\u201d is overrated, Miami has consistently developed players and helped them max out their potential. Philon checks many of the boxes that Miami covets and could be an ideal fit, especially without Rozier and potentially Tyler Herro, who seems to always be mentioned in trade scenarios involving the Heat.\u201d<\/p>\n Where Matt currently has him ranked on his way-too-early big board: 7<\/p>\n *********************<\/p>\n Where Matt currently has him ranked on his way-too-early big board: 14<\/p>\n *********************<\/p>\n To check out our other content, click\u00a0here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Twitter\/X\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Follow Hot Hot Hoops on Instagram\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Check out Hot Hot Hoops on Facebook\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n Subscribe to our YouTube channel\u00a0here<\/a>!<\/p>\n \t\t\t