The Miami Heat are a team that was on the cusp of making the 2017 NBA Playoffs but missed out due to a tiebreaker situation with the Chicago Bulls. That gave an indication that this team is right there in the Eastern Conference, and that bringing in a new star as well as a talented rookie might help give them a boost. In late June, Miami will have the No. 14 draft pick at the 2017 NBA Draft. Here's a look at three possible prospects that the team might select with that pick in the June NBA Draft.

UNC's Justin Jackson

The No. 14 spot falls just on the cusp of where the lottery teams are drafting, making it quite interesting for the Heat.

However, as fans have seen in other drafts, choices made outside the top 10 can easily become stars. Examples include Devin Booker who is on the rise in Phoenix, and Isaiah Thomas, who wasn't even a first-round NBA Draft pick by his team.

One player that is being suggested for the Heat by the Draft Express website is North Carolina's Justin Jackson. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game as a junior with UNC. Jackson has the great wingspan at 6'foot'11 and with his size, he could contribute to the interior along with Hassan Whiteside. He also would give the Heat another scoring option to compliment Goran Dragic, Hassan Whiteside, and Dion Waiters.

Arizona's Lauri Markannen

The Wildcats' Lauri Markkanen could also wind up as a member of the Miami Heat. As Sports Illustrated speculated in their recent mock draft, Jackson may end up being snatched by another team in need of his services ahead of the Heat. However, if Markkanen happens to be left on the board, he could make an attractive choice for the Heat franchise.

The Arizona Wildcats big man put up impressive stats this past season to help lead the Wildcats into the NCAA Tournament. Markannen averaged 15.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 0.9 assists per game.

A seven-footer would be a great addition to the lineup along with their rim protector Hassan Whiteside. But not so fast, as one of the knocks on Markkanen is his defense.

It's possible that having Hassan Whiteside and Justise Winslow in the front court will solve that problem while Markkanen focuses on improving this area of his game. When it comes down to it, Markannen's skills as a shooter are drawing comparisons to current NBA star Ryan Anderson. Adding a player like this could really help the Heat break into the playoffs next season.

UCLA'S T.J. Leaf

The UCLA Bruins' T.J. Leaf is another pick being linked to the Heat in mock draft rumors, according to Fansided's AllUCan Heat. Leaf is being projected by other websites to go as low as the No. 23 pick in the NBA Draft. Leaf averaged 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds along with 2.4 assists as a UCLA freshman playing on the same court with Lonzo Ball.

While the Heat may see value in Leaf's skills on offense, it's contended by Joe Hubert that he'd be a bad fit in Miami. The reasoning would be Leaf's inability to work within Miami's defensive system run by coach Erik Spoelstra.

For that reason, a different pick is suggested at the No. 14 spot: Og Anunoby. He's listed right around the No. 14 spot on many mock drafts and put up 11.1 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 assists as a sophomore at Indiana. He can also switch between small forward and power forward, giving the team some options when he's on the court.

Who is the best pick?

When it comes down to it Justin Jackson is the popular choice for the Miami Heat to make at No. 14 in the NBA Draft.

This makes sense based on his statistics and the type of game he's shown over his collegiate career. Not only that, he's got that experience factor as a junior coming out of college and played under one of the top coaches in college basketball, Roy Williams.

Unfortunately for the Heat, they may not be the only team interested in getting a talented star like Justin Jackson. There's 13 teams above them, one of which may decide that Jackson is a good fit for their roster as well. Miami Heat fans will find out the team's choice on Thursday, June 22, when the NBA Draft arrives.
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