Heat’s most interesting player could be ready for a breakout

Ryan Conwell wasn’t a name most people were circling at the top of the 2026 NBA Draft. That doesn’t mean the Miami Heat aren’t interested in finding out what they have.

Selected 37th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Conwell was immediately traded to Miami. He enters the league with the kind of profile that can sometimes carve out a role faster than expected. He can shoot, he isn’t afraid to let it fly, and during Summer League, he showed why teams were willing to take a closer look at him.

The Heat have always valued players who can do something specific and do it well. For Conwell, that skill is obvious. Shooting travels, especially in a league where spacing can decide whether an offense works or gets stuck fighting through traffic.

Of course, every young player gets a reality check once the regular season arrives. Summer League gives guys room to experiment. NBA defenses don’t give out those same chances. The windows close quicker and mistakes get punished immediately.

But Conwell has the type of game that could fit what Miami needs.

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With Bam Adebayo and Giannis Antetokounmpo leading the way, the Heat have plenty of star power. What every contender needs around those kinds of players are guys who can make the right play, sink open shots and stay ready when their number is called.

That could be where Conwell finds his opening.

Kel’el Ware remains another young player worth watching as he continues developing his impressive physical tools in the frontcourt.

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Still, Conwell feels like the kind of second-round pick who could surprise people.

The Heat have built a reputation for finding players who don’t always arrive with the biggest introductions but eventually earn their minutes. Conwell’s path will require patience, but he has already done the first important thing: making people notice. Now comes the harder part. Keeping them watching.