Why Terrence Shannon Jr. Fits Well in Miami

At Texas Tech, Terrence Shannon Jr. was an impactful player from the time he arrived in Lubbock. He virtually averaged in double digits in all three seasons (9.8 PPG as a true freshman) and earned Third-team All-Big 12 as a sophomore. However, it was after a  transfer to Illinois that helped Shannon emerge as one of the country's elite players.

In two seasons in Champaign, Shannon averaged 20.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, topping 23 PPG this past season. While Shannon was a First-Team All-Big Ten Selection in each of his two seasons with the Fighting Illini, a third-team Associated Press All-American was the only national honor that he received. He also was projected as a second round pick for most of the year as well.

The main reason Shannon did not receive more national acclaim is because he was arrested last December for the alleged incident and subsequently suspended from the Illinois basketball program, but returned to the court following a six-game absence after successfully filing a temporary restraining order to be reinstated.

Terrence Shannon Jr. was found not guilty of felony rape and aggravated sexual assault after a trial that concluded just weeks before the NBA Draft.

Now that Shannon has had his name cleared, his NBA future can be decided by his talents on the court. He should hear his name selected within the top 20 picks, possibly in the late lottery with this not being one of the strongest draft classes in recent memory. Picking 15th overall, Miami owns the first selection outside of the lottery and falling right in Shannon's range. It is also one of his best draft fits as well.

Immediate Impact Of Heat Selecting Shannon

In the last two drafts, Miami has spent its first round picks on forwards. In 2022, it took Nikola Jovic 27th overall and it used the 18th overall selection to land Jaime Jaquez Jr. last year. Jaquez made the All-Rookie First Team and finished fourth in Rookie of the Year Voting. From a needs perspective, Miami probably has a bigger need for a point guard and it could use another big man to back up All-Star Bam Adebayo or play alongside him.

However, Miami ranked 29th in pace and 21st in offensive rating this season. Shannon did not test at the NBA Draft Combine. However, at nearly 6-6 and 220 pounds, he is one of the strongest and most explosive prospects in this class. He uses his gifts to create easy transition buckets and he is constantly in attack mode. He made 65% of his field goal attempts at the rim as well. Shannon would help Miami easier buckets in transition and he will be one of the better players in the open floor in the NBA.

Shannon is an improving shooter as well. In 2023-24, Shannon averaged a career-high 2.4 made 3s per game, shooting 36% from on 6.7 attempts, the highest volume of his career. He can be streaky with his jumper at times, but he should be at least an adequate spot-shooter at the NBA level. He will also be able to excel when attacking closeouts as well.

Because of the streakiness, the left-handed stroke, and similar frame, some have compared Shannon to Kelly Oubre Jr. However, I believe Shannon has a higher ceiling defensively than Oubre, which will help him hit his floor and project as at least a starting-level player. He averaged 0.9 blocks and one steal per game with a 2.3% blocks percentage and 1.7% steals percentage. One knock on Shannon is that he only he has a 6-8 wingspan. While teams would prefer that Shannon is a bit longer, his physicality, toughness, and competitiveness will help him defend multiple positions.

Future Implications For Miami

I mentioned that Miami has Jaquez and Jovic as young forwards and that does not include their star player, Jimmy Butler, or 2023 Eastern Conference Finals hero, Caleb Martin, who is just 28 himself. In five seasons with the Heat, Butler has led them to the Eastern Conference Finals three times and the NBA Finals twice. However, Butler has not played 65 games in the last five years and will be 35 in September. He also missed all five games of Miami's first round loss to the Celtics.

Butler is owed $48 million next season and has a $52 million player option for the 2025-26 season, but he is seeking a two-year, $113 million extension that would replace his player option. However, Butler and Riley already have butted heads publicly, and Miami has not been known to cave to player demands. Remember, franchise legend Dwyane Wade left and played for the Bulls and Cavaliers before returning to finish his career in Miami. Adebayo is also eligible for a three-year, $165 million extension when league moratorium ends on July 6th.

Additionally, Jaquez averaged 15.4 points, 4.6 rebounds, and three assists per game in 22 games without Butler. Shannon will be 24 next month and helped both Texas Tech and Illinois make deep runs in the NCAA Tournament like Jaquez did at UCLA. Shannon's experience will help him be an immediate contributor and may make him more desirable to playoff contenders. With Jaquez and Shannon, Miami would have two young forwards, who could replace Butler's production in tandem if the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on an extension. Jaquez and Shannon would also give Miami the flexibility to trade Butler for an impact player at a different position, like point guard, rather needing a forward to replace him.