Among the biggest “what-ifs” in Miami Heat history is the missed opportunity of drafting Devin Booker in 2015.
At that time, Booker was confident that he would be selected by the Heat with their 10th overall pick. In a recent conversation with D’Angelo Russell on The Backyard Podcast, Booker revealed that he had even begun looking for places to live in Miami, convinced that the Heat would choose him.
Booker’s belief was reinforced by his strong workout performance with the Heat and a conversation with Pat Riley, who mentioned the team’s need for a player with shooting skills akin to Klay Thompson’s.
However, when the moment came, the Heat opted to draft Duke forward Justise Winslow, who had been projected as a top-five pick. Booker ended up being selected 13th overall by the Phoenix Suns, where he quickly proved his potential by averaging 13.8 points per game as a rookie and then 22.1 points in his second season. Over the years, Booker has established himself as one of the NBA’s elite scorers, earning four All-Star selections and leading the Suns to the 2021 Finals.
The Heat, meanwhile, saw Winslow struggle with injuries and inconsistency during his time in Miami. Winslow eventually moved on to other teams, never fully realizing the potential the Heat had hoped for when they selected him.
The decision to draft Winslow over Booker remains a significant “what-if” for the organization, prompting fans and analysts alike to wonder how different the team’s trajectory could have been.
If Booker had joined the Heat in 2015, the franchise’s future—including whether Dwyane Wade would have left, or if they would have still acquired Jimmy Butler—might have unfolded quite differently.
Looking forward, there’s speculation about whether Booker might one day play in Miami. Although he is under contract with the Suns for now, he could become a free agent in 2028, potentially aligning with Bam Adebayo’s contract situation. After years of instability with the Suns, the allure of Miami’s well-regarded organizational culture could be appealing to Booker, keeping alive the possibility that his story with the Heat might not be entirely over.
