Jun 26, 2008 11:55 am US/Eastern
Miami Heat Hold Key To NBA Draft
Team is believed to be focusing on O.J. Mayo, Michael Beasley, and Jerryd Bayless
MIAMI (CBS4.com) ―
The first pick in the NBA Draft will hear his name called in a matter of hours. Then, the suspense builds as the Miami Heat go on the clock with the number 2 pick.
It's widely believed the Chicago Bulls will use the number one pick on Memphis point guard, Derrick Rose. A Chicago-native, Rose brings size, speed, and an improving jump shot to the Bulls.
However, no one really knows what direction the Draft takes after the Bulls pick. The entire Miami Heat organization has been keeping their cards close to the vest and that has helped open up the rumor mills on the Heat's plan.
We do know the Heat have brought in power forward Michael Beasley, shooting guard O.J. Mayo, and point guard Jerryd Bayless in for workouts. Mayo and Bayless were reportedly the last two players brought in to the Heat's facilities.
There is widespread speculation, including a
report on ESPN.com, that Heat president Pat Riley doesn't think Beasley would work well in South Florida. If the Heat chose Beasley, he would be a compliment to forward Udonis Haslem.
But the attention of the Heat has turned toward O.J. Mayo. He is a shooting guard from the Univesity of Southern California who comes in with a checkered past. ESPN reported the 19-year-old had accepted gifts and money from an agent during his recruitment and career at USC.
Mayo told ESPN most teams didn't care about the allegations because "They (NBA clubs) didn't care what Louis (Johnson, a former Mayo insider who made the allegations) was saying was right or wrong because it really has nothing to do with the NBA or their organization."
Thoughts of a trade have also been occupying the time of the Miami Heat. The team coveted Rose, but with him expected to be gone, the Heat may be ready to trade down to take a point guard at a later spot.
CBS4 news partners, The Miami Herald, reported the Heat had serious trade discussions with several teams, including Minnesota, Seattle, Memphis and New York.
The trade winds started gusting on Wednesday when a trade was said to be in place for Indiana to send Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto for two players and the Raptors first-round pick.
Needless to say, the Miami Heat hold the key to what happens for lottery picks in the NBA draft.
(© 2008 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. CBS4 news partner The Miami Herald contributed material for this report)
