8P9S NBA Mock Draft 1.0: With the 26th pick, the Indiana Pacers select…
By Ben Gibson
No. 11 — Miami Heat: Romeo Langford, SG
School: Indiana | Class: Freshman | Height: 6’6″ | Weight: 215 | Age: 19
The Heat are not in a good position cap-wise. A lot of mid-level salaries will make it tough to utilize free agency to improve a mediocre roster, making this pick crucial.
The best shot creator guard on the board is the former Indiana Mr. Basketball, Romeo Langford. Miami needs offense, someone, anyone who can create his own shot. At his best, Langford can deliver on that. While his 3-point shot did not translate from New Albany to Bloomington, his drives did. Romeo is shifty and hard to stick to.
His reputation as a prospect still remains strong outside of Indiana, where the same salvific expectations weren’t attracted to him, so that’s a plus.
Another positive is Josh Richardson and Justise Winslow already play poignant roles which will allow Langford to play off them instead of having the spotlight sourly upon his shoulders.
Maybe a sixth man role will be good for him, Miami certainly hopes so. — Jonathan Matthes