The NBA regular season has ended, prompting teams to focus on the 2026 NBA Draft. With many collegiate players declaring for early entry, the draft order will be determined at the lottery on May 10 in Chicago.
The NBA regular season is over, which means many teams are shifting their focus entirely to the 2026 NBA Draft.
With nearly half of the teams done with games for the season, their scouts and front office executives will soon determine which future pros they may add to their roster for next year. After an exciting March Madness tournament won by the Michigan Wolverines, several prospects showed exactly what they can offer in the league.
As many collegiate players announce their intention to declare early entry to the 2026 NBA Draft, we can start to develop a more clear picture of what this class may look like.
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery, which will determine the order of picks one through fourteen, will be held May 10 in Chicago, followed immediately that week by the draft combine, also in Chicago.
Here's how USA TODAY currently projects the No. 13 pick will play out with Miami Heat making the selection.
Our draft order is based on Tankathon.com and factors in trades, including swaps and protections.
Kalbrosky's Analysis:
The Miami Heat have drafted several prospects known for their athleticism, which means a player like Arizona forward Koa Peat will probably have some appeal to the organization. Peat is an ideal match for this franchise given his versatility as a playmaking forward. Arizona played at a significantly faster pace (3.9 extra possessions) when Peat was on the floor relative to when he was not, per CBB Analytics, which would fit very well with Miami's fastest-paced offense in the NBA. The All-Big 12 forward just needs a jumper to carve out regular minutes as a high-impact pro.
See USA TODAY's full mock draft 10.0 here
(all stats as of April 8)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miami Heat NBA mock draft: latest predictions before 2026 playoffs
The 2026 NBA Draft Lottery is scheduled for May 10 in Chicago.
The Michigan Wolverines won the March Madness tournament in 2026.
The draft combine will take place immediately after the lottery, also in Chicago.
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