Tim Hardaway recently revealed that the Miami Heat missed a golden opportunity to extend their championship run by failing to draft Draymond Green in the 2012 NBA Draft. Speaking on The Draymond Green Show, Hardaway, who once worked as a scout for the Heat, shared that he urged team president Pat Riley to take Green with the 27th overall pick, believing he was the perfect fit for Miami’s defensive identity and culture.
But, the Heat passed on Green and instead selected Arnett Moultrie, a 6’10” forward from Mississippi State, only to trade him immediately to the Philadelphia 76ers.
“We could have won three in a row. I’m talking about LeBron, D-Wade, and Chris Bosh. I feel comfortable with you being on that team coming in and doing what you’re supposed to do cuz you was the type of Heat player we should have, that we needed.”
Hardaway strongly believes that adding Green to the Heat’s roster alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh would have led Miami to a three-peat from 2012-2014.
While Miami had no use for Moultrie, Philadelphia acquired him with the hope that he could develop into a reliable power forward. Unfortunately, his career never materialized. In just two seasons with the 76ers, Moultrie played only 59 games, averaging 3.6 points and 3.1 rebounds in 12.4 minutes per game.
His NBA career ended abruptly in 2014 due to injuries, conditioning issues, and a suspension for violating the league’s anti-drug policy. After leaving the NBA, Moultrie played overseas in countries like China and Lebanon, far from the All-Star potential some scouts once projected.
Meanwhile, Draymond Green slid to the 35th overall pick, landing with the Golden State Warriors. Green admitted he thought there was a chance the Heat would take him because of his skill set and mentality, but he was stunned when they chose Moultrie instead.
During his rookie season, Green played limited minutes, and Miami still won back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013. However, by his second season, Green was already making a significant impact, averaging 6.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 1.2 steals in 21.9 minutes per game.
The Heat, on the other hand, struggled against a dominant San Antonio Spurs team in the 2014 NBA Finals, particularly in rebounding and defensive versatility. A young, defensive-minded player like Green—who had the ability to guard multiple positions, rebound, and provide energy—could have made a real difference in that series. Instead, the Heat fell in five games, LeBron James left for Cleveland that summer, and Miami’s dynasty ended abruptly.
After leaving Miami off the board, Green went on to be a cornerstone of the Warriors’ dynasty, winning four NBA championships in 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2022. He became a four-time All-Star, eight-time All-Defensive selection, and the 2017 Defensive Player of the Year. Meanwhile, the Heat haven’t won a championship since 2013, and despite reaching the NBA Finals in 2020 and 2023, they fell short both times.
Had Miami listened to Hardaway and drafted Green, their fate could have been entirely different. Instead of watching Draymond anchor Golden State’s dynasty, they might have extended their own and possibly changed NBA history.
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