Like Ace Bailey, Liam McNeeley has been one of the most impressive small forward prospects in this draft cycle. McNeeley has also been one of the top 3-and-D players in the draft, with a quick, smooth shooting form and the ability to guard multiple positions. McNeeley, alongside players like Bailey or Kon Knueppel, will be a desirable shooting prospect that goes in the lottery. Here are the best fits for Liam McNeeley among teams currently projected to be in the 2025 NBA Draft lottery.
Best Fits For Liam McNeeley Among Lottery Teams
San Antonio Spurs
Unquestionably, the San Antonio Spurs will make the perfect fit for McNeeley if he lands with the team. The Spurs need more 3-and-D-styled players next to Victor Wembanyama, and McNeeley can provide that. Outside of a few players, San Antonio has a distinct lack of shooting next to Wembanyama. McNeeley can easily step into an off-ball shooter role and give Wembanyama the spacing he needs. Having a shooter like McNeeley on the Spurs will take San Antonio’s offense to the next level.
Additionally, he can offer good defense around Wembanyama as well. Specifically, McNeeley has the ability to guard multiple positions, which can make Wembanyama’s job easier. Comparatively, McNeeley will benefit from all the attention that Wembanyama commands offensively. Undoubtedly, McNeeley will get many easy shots playing next to Wembanyama.
Houston Rockets
McNeeley will fit well with the Houston Rockets as he can easily slot in as a rotational player there. In particular, the Rockets need more shooting on the floor, which is something McNeeley can do in spades. Houston sits at 29th in three-point percentage across the entire league, so McNeeley’s ability to knock down shots from deep will help in that regard. Also, McNeeley’s defensive versatility will fit well with Houston’s defensive identity. His high floor as a player will be of use to a young Rockets team gunning for the playoffs.
As for McNeeley, he will benefit from playing next to guys like Alperen Sengun, Jalen Green, or Amen Thompson. Offensively, McNeeley will get plenty of open shots due to Sengun and Green’s ability to command attention from opposing defenses. Not only that, but Sengun has excellent court vision and will find McNeeley for three or back-door cuts. Defensively, McNeeley can rely on players like Thompson and Tari Eason off the bench to help shoulder the defensive burden. Together, those three will be versatile defensively on the wing. Due to these reasons, the fit between McNeeley and the Rockets on both sides of the floor will be good.
(The Rockets also will likely have the Suns first round pick in the 2025 NBA Draft.)
Miami Heat
Similar to the other teams on this list, McNeeley would fit well with the Miami Heat. Regardless of what happens with Jimmy Butler, the Heat will still need talented players to play next to Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro. The Heat needs size, defense, and shooting on the wings, all of which McNeeley provides. With Butler most likely gone, the need for more spacing surrounding Adebayo will be greater need than before. McNeeley can step in and be a 3-and-D wing that the Heat desperately needs. McNeeley will benefit from playing in Miami’s system and around the Heat’s stars. Both Adebayo and Herro have the court vision to find McNeeley for open shots or off-ball actions. His abilities as a player perfectly fit what the Heat needs and Miami will make a great home for him.
(Their first round pick goes to the Thunder, unless it lands in picks 1-14.)
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