Miami might already have a quiet deal in place to select a hometown favorite.
With the 20th pick in tomorrow’s NBA Draft—acquired via the Jimmy Butler trade with Golden State—the Miami Heat are poised to add a key young piece, especially after losing their own 15th pick to OKC due to their playoff run. And all signs point to them having already chosen their man.
Despite draft season being filled with misdirection, some clues are just too obvious. Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. has reportedly worked out with Miami twice and canceled all other workouts, according to Adam Finkelstein of 247 Sports. That alone raises eyebrows.
While not an official commitment, this is about as close as it gets. On Tuesday afternoon, Clayton stoked the speculation further. When asked which three people—dead or alive—he’d want to have dinner with, Clayton immediately named Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra.
“Erik Spoelstra, Rick Ross and Kobe Bryant,” Clayton responded. That’s quite a guest list—and quite possibly a major hint.
It could simply be that Clayton has genuine admiration for Spoelstra, who is widely respected as one of the NBA’s best tacticians, with multiple Finals appearances and championship rings to his name. But it’s uncommon for incoming prospects to single out current NBA coaches in these kinds of questions. The pick feels a little too on the nose.
Clayton, currently ranked No. 24 on FanSided’s big board, grew up near Orlando and spent his last two college years at Florida. While the Orlando Magic were previously linked to him, it now seems unlikely he’ll still be available when they pick at No. 25. Given Clayton’s local ties and the Heat’s tendency—under Pat Riley—to favor seasoned college players, the match makes even more sense. Riley’s last two first-round selections, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kel’el Ware, also had multiple college years under their belt.
Clayton’s résumé is impressive. He led Florida to a No. 1 seed and an NCAA championship in his senior year, becoming a March Madness sensation. After transferring from Iona, he went from under-the-radar to a college basketball star in just two years.
Is Walter Clayton Jr. a good fit for the Heat?
While not a seamless fit, Clayton brings enough value to make an impact. Miami already has Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier in the backcourt, so another small guard isn’t a pressing need. But Spoelstra excels at maximizing talent and hiding flaws—something Clayton seems well aware of.
Most notably, Clayton is one of the top shooters in this draft class, capable of knocking down 3s from various spots and actions. That’s a highly desirable skill at the NBA level. Though not known for his passing, he could thrive in an off-ball role, easing Herro’s workload and pairing well with Bam Adebayo in two-man sets.
He’s a strong driver with touch around the rim, even if he doesn’t play above it. His strength and finesse help him finish through contact. Scoring is his calling card—other parts of his game will need development.
Given Rozier’s uncertain future, Miami has a chance to add a local champion and reinforce their backcourt. All signs suggest that’s exactly what they’re about to do.
