In this 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Daily Knicks provides upside comparisons for every Round 1 prospect. Who do the New York Knicks..."/> In this 2017 NBA Mock Draft, Daily Knicks provides upside comparisons for every Round 1 prospect. Who do the New York Knicks..."/>
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2017 NBA Mock Draft: New York Knicks And A Full Round 1

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) moves the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 76-69. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Stanford, CA, USA; Washington Huskies guard Markelle Fultz (20) moves the ball against the Stanford Cardinal in the second half at Maples Pavilion. Stanford won 76-69. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) dunks the ball in front of Kent State Golden Flashes forward Jimmy Hall (35) in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2017; Sacramento, CA, USA; UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf (22) dunks the ball in front of Kent State Golden Flashes forward Jimmy Hall (35) in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

14. Miami Heat: TJ Leaf, UCLA Bruins

Position: Forward
Age: 20 (4/30/1997)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’9.75″, 222 pounds, 6’11”
2016-17 Slash Line: .617/.466/.679
2016-17 Season Averages: 29.9 MPG, 16.3 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.2 ORPG, 2.4 APG, 1.1 BPG, 0.8 3PM

The Miami Heat have built a healthy culture on the strength of Erik Spoelstra’s coaching and influence. With the support of team president Pat Riley, Spoelstra has held his players accountable in every sense of the word.

If the Heat are looking to continue the construction of a sustainably successful roster, then UCLA Bruins forward TJ Leaf could be the answer.

I admittedly have Leaf ranked higher than some others, but he’s the perfect player to be drafted by the Heat. He’s an incredibly versatile forward who can go to the post, work the pick and roll, space the floor from beyond the arc, and put the ball on the hardwood.

Leaf is also athletic enough to run the floor in transition, thus making him the ideal complement to both Goran Dragic and Hassan Whiteside.

Leaf’s offensive versatility includes the ability to facilitate from the high post, which is an element Spoelstra has been missing without Chris Bosh. He’ll need to work to polish his skill set and turn strengths into go-to moves, but Miami has the perfect culture for him to do so.

Leaf has sneaky star potential on the offensive end of the floor. If the Heat manage to draft him at No. 14, Spoelstra would be the perfect coach to help the former UCLA star tap into it.

If the New York Knicks believe Leaf can play small forward, they too could be in play.

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