The Sport Count

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (way to go on sounding like an Uncanny X-Men bad guy):

Heat President Pat Riley [is] apparently working on his team’s possibilities at No. 2. Having yet to publicly comment on his team’s draft outlook since the end of the late-May draft camp in Orlando, Riley instead has been assessing his alternatives, with ESPN reporting early today that the Heat spent Tuesday working out Southern Cal guard O.J. Mayo and Arizona guard Jerryd Bayless.

Want to know why the Heat worked out Mayo and Bayless? Due diligence. That’s it.

Pat Riley might be arrogant, but he’s not an dumb. There was, and is, a good chance the number two pick was getting sent out of Florida, and Riley realised that in return the Heat might get a lower pick. And that pick might be Mayo or Bayless. They wanted to see what Memphis’ 5th round pick was really worth.

If the Heat keep the second pick (and would it be that crazy if they did?) they’re picking Michael Beasley. The South Florida conjecture — that Sportscenter joined all yesterday — is ridiculous. Marty Burns at Sports Illustrated got in on the action too:

[I]f Riley can’t swing a deal, it is possible he could shock the world and take Mayo at No. 2 anyway. Keep in mind, Riley is one of the few team presidents with the standing and authority to make such a bold decision.

The Beasley pick is a sure thing. It’s done. Unless Paxson blows minds by letting Rose go (but he’s from Chicago!), the Heat head home with the Kansas State kid.

More interesting than the draft talk in Miami is the Marion talk:

A source familiar with the situation said Wednesday night that the Heat already has received overtures from the Raptors, Pacers, Clippers and several other teams regarding Shawn Marion, who is seeking the type of lucrative extension Heat President Pat Riley appears reluctant to consider.

Whether Riley a) trades the 2nd pick b) Marion c) less likely: both of them or (d) lesser still: neither, will indicate exactly where the Heat plan to be in ‘08-’09.

If Marion heads North in return for a developing, young big fella (Josh Smith? He’s Matrix 2.0* anyway), the Heat will expect to at least make the conference semis.

But should that 2nd pick get sent elsewhere in exchange for a veteran star? Well, Miami will expect nothing less than another set of rings.

Posted By: Anton

*That nickname makes me feel like I’m posting from 1999.