The Miami Heat possess the No. 20 overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, and selecting the right prospect could help to breathe new energy into the franchise.
Though the Jimmy Butler era came to an end at the mid-season mark by way of a blockbuster trade with the Golden State Warriors, the Heat were able to land a first-round pick in the deal.
After receiving the chance to introduce a new a fresh talent into the rotation come next season, a new FOX Sports 2025 NBA Mock Draft has the Heat selecting a former high school standout forward who once shared the floor with the projected No. 1 overall pick of the Dallas Mavericks, Cooper Flagg.
Former Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2).
Former Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2).
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
"A five-star prospect who was ranked the fourth-best power forward in his high school class and 16th best player overall (247Sports), (Asa) Newell flew under the radar this year due to playing for a Georgia team that went 8-10 in SEC play."
"Still, he measured at 6'9 barefoot at the combine and averaged 15.4 points per game with 6.9 rebounds in his lone season in Athens."
On the way to earning status as a projected top-20 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, the Unversity of Georgia's Asa Newell really began to shine on a national level when he suited up for Montverde, Florida's world-renowned Montverde Academy in high school.
With the 6-foot-9 Duke University superstar Flagg as his frontcourt running mate, the pair led Montverde to a perfect 33-0 record and the 2024 Chipotle High School Nationals championship.
Newell showed flashes as a solid back-to-the-basket scorer and capable ball-handler during his one-and-done season at Georgia, and the Heat may figure that he could provide a certain spark to their rotation.
Standing at 6-foot-11, the springy forward looks to be a promising two-way threat.
In 33 appearances for Georgia, Newell contributed 15.4 points on an efficient 61.2% true shooting percentage, and he may end up being a perfect pick-and-roll partner for Miami's first-time All-Star Tyler Herro.
The Destin, Florida native also displayed his natural defensive instincts, swiping 1.0 steals and rejecting 1.0 blocks during his freshman campaign.
Perfectly enough, he might be a suitable frontcourt sidekick for the Heat's dominant defensive big man Bam Adebayo for the foreseeable future.