The Miami Heat made history when it selected 21-year old power forward Latavious Williams with the #48 overall pick of the NBA Draft. They selected him out of the NBA’s Development League making him the first player ever drafted out of that league. Williams played in 47 games (9 starts) for the Tulsa 66ers in which he averaged 7.7 points, 7.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. The Heat liked what they saw out of him last season and they think he has a nice little upside.

UPDATE: (6/25/2010) - The Heat have traded Latavious Williams to the Oklahoma City Thunder for a 2nd round pick in 2011.

The Heat have selected 22-year old small forward Da’Sean Butler with the 42nd overall pick of the NBA Draft. Butler played in 38 games (all starts) last season for West Virginia and he averaged 17.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game. He played in 146 games (110 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 14.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.1 steals per game. Butler tore his ACL in the NCAA tournament which is why he slid so far in the draft. The Heat might have another steal here.

The Heat have picked 22-year old power forward Jarvis Varnado with the 41st overall pick of the NBA Draft. Varnado played in 36 games (all starts) at Mississippi State last season and he averaged 13.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 0.9 assists and 4.7 blocked shots per game. He played in 141 games (119 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 10.0 points, 7.8 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 4.0 blocked shots per game. Many experts had Varnado getting picked in the first round so this was a outstanding value pick for the Heat.

The Miami Heat have selected 22-year old center Dexter Pittman out of Texas with the 32nd overall pick of the NBA Draft. Pittman will have to watch his weight as he is 6′10″, 290 pounds. He played in 34 games (all starts) at Texas last season and he averaged 10.4 points, 5.9 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game. Pittman played in 134 games (59 starts) in his four years in college and he averaged 6.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, 0.3 assists and 0.9 blocked shots per game. The Heat hope that Pittman can provide defense and rebounding for them in the near future.

The Miami Heat have four picks in tomorrow night’s NBA Draft. They have the 18th, 41st, 42nd and 48th pick in the NBA Draft. Rumors are swirling that they would be willing to sell the 18th overall pick so that they would have more money to spend on free agents. Also look for Michael Beasley, James Jones and Daequan Cook to be on the trading block. I see the Heat keeping all three of the 2nd round picks that they have as they won’t have to pay those guys much money. It’s all about free agency with the Heat….but if I were running the show I would make that first round pick.