Could the Miami Heat be eyeing a scoring sensation over a traditional big man in this year's lottery? That's the burning question after a fan's mock draft simulation had the team selecting Darryn Peterson with the No. 2 pick—passing on frontcourt prospects Cameron Boozer and Caleb Wilson.

For a franchise stuck in 10th place for two straight seasons and mired in the play-in tournament for four years running, the answer might be simpler than it seems: Miami needs pure talent, and Peterson's silky scoring ability is hard to ignore. While the Heat's power rotation looks thin beyond Bam Adebayo and Kel'el Ware, and guards like Tyler Herro already fill the backcourt, the team learned a painful lesson in 2020 when they chose size over the best available player, taking Precious Achiuwa instead of Tyrese Maxey. Don't expect them to make that mistake again.

In a lottery loaded with top-tier talent, the Heat would be thrilled to land any pick among the first four. Those choices might bring tough decisions, but they also offer plenty of easy answers.

Meanwhile, trade chatter is heating up as first-round losers consider moving pieces. Could Miami find a deal? The answer is always yes—but the Giannis Antetokounmpo saga with the Bucks looms large. Has there ever been a time the Heat didn't chase Kevin Durant when he seemed available? The same logic applies here. As the draft lottery approaches, teams may face roster redundancies, and trade options will crystallize once the second round ends. Remember: eliminated teams can swap players (minus impending free agents) as soon as their season wraps.

And if Miami did gut the roster for Giannis, would it even matter? Imagine a starting five of Bam Adebayo, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Andrew Wiggins, Norman Powell, and Davion Mitchell. That lineup could change everything—or raise even more questions.