Is Mayo the #2 Pick? (article)

[shrink]

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/draft200 ... tch-080523

If the Bulls take Rose No. 1, that leads to an interesting scenario with the Heat at No. 2. Sources say the Heat want Rose, too, but if he's not on the board, a source familiar with the Heat's thinking told me that the team is interested in O.J. Mayo and think he might be a great fit in the backcourt with Dwyane Wade.

I'm not sure why the Heat are shying away from Beasley, as he would be a good fit in Miami. But I see why Miami likes Mayo. While Rose is a pure point guard, his lack of a jump shot would make him a somewhat less than ideal fit alongside Wade. Yes, the Heat would have the most athletic backcourt in the league, but without much outside shooting.

Mayo, on the other hand, is an excellent shooter with deep range. He also has enough point guard skills to run a team like Miami, especially with Wade, a combo guard, also handling the ball a lot. Mayo's basketball IQ and age (he'll be 21 in November) also make him a little more NBA-ready than Rose right now.

For several years NBA teams have ranked Mayo as the top prospect in his draft class. After a shaky start for USC, he came on strong at the end of the season. And he has looked awesome in his Chicago workouts with Tim Grover.

If the Heat decide Mayo's the guy, they may be able to swing a deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Seattle Supersonics or Memphis Grizzlies that would give them both Mayo and an extra piece of the puzzle. I think all three teams would give up something significant for the chance to move up and draft Beasley.

[PowerBull]

I wouldn't take this very serious...There is no way Riley passes on Beasley with his current roster. Marion would be the ideal fit next to Beasley in the frontcourt.

[invno1]

This is all hearsay: I do work for a dude that has a home here in Islamorda (the keys) He is a good friend of Riles a few times a year he tags me along to a game at AA Arena front row seats, went to the Boston game this year and Garnett didnt play, but this dude was great friends with Shaq's father and very good friends with Riley. He has told me Riley is not interested in the pick and wants vets via trades.
Thats why I was surprised when I read Riles asking why Mayo wasent mentioned in the top 2. I dont know what he see's or why he would even throw that out there. But it does make the draft a lil tricky.

[twolves4]

il take any one of beasley or mayo..i dont care who it is, as long as we take one of those 2 guys..the draft class drops off drastically after that

the wolves finally have the chance to take a top tier potential superstar player here with this pick, and id hate to see them waste that to fill a need with a huge reach..go best player available, and its either beasley or mayo (whoever miami doesnt take) by a long shot

[mandurugo]

I still think it's a two player draft - if the wolves can get Beasley they should pay the price. #3 and Miami's pick back - no problem.

[Basti]

I still think it's a two player draft - if the wolves can get Beasley they should pay the price. #3 and Miami's pick back - no problem.

if that would be enough I'd do it but I'm not sure if it is enough

[TheFranchise21]

My feeling (mentioned more in depth in another thread) is that Riley wants another superstar next to Wade more than he wants to wait for a rookie (Mayo/Beasley) to develop next to Wade.

Similar things have happened. Reggie Bush was supposed to be the surefire #1 pick but he went #2.

[Sephiroth]

Wolves should do everything they can to get Beasley if Miami is willing to put that pick on the block.

McCants and their pick back with the #3.

[jaseda510]

can the Heat have Brewer instead of McCants?

#2 plus Wright for #3, Brewer, and our 09 1st rounder back

worth a try though

[jaseda510]

My feeling (mentioned more in depth in another thread) is that Riley wants another superstar next to Wade more than he wants to wait for a rookie (Mayo/Beasley) to develop next to Wade.

Similar things have happened. Reggie Bush was supposed to be the surefire #1 pick but he went #2.

I don't think Riley will trade the pick because of 2 reasons:

-lack of superstar to trade for (unless LeBron or Dwight Howard are on the trading block.... obviously chances are slim to none, the Heat are keeping the pick unless some offer comes out of nowhere that the Heat can't refuse
Riley often compared the Heat's options to what Boston did trading the #5 pick for Ray Allen and later getting KG. Honestly I think Gilbert Arenas might be the only player that I could be thinking of that can possibly be on the block that the Heat would love to have, he would make an excellent pairing with Wade

-Riley wants cap space for 2010 to make a big run plus keep Wade

At the end of the day I believe we're keeping the #2 pick and will be happy with whoever we get

[wolves_fan_82au]

can the Heat have Brewer instead of McCants?

#2 plus Wright for #3, Brewer, and our 09 1st rounder back

worth a try though

why brewer he will take longer to devlop than 2010

Mccants is a scorer now he just needs too learn to stay out of foul trouble

[TheProdigy]

Brewer is better than McCants at everything except scoring points.

[shrink]

He's certainly not better about hitting the weight room!

[AQuintus]

He's certainly not better about hitting the weight room!

Or scowling at the coach!


Come to think of it, I wonder if Brewer can scowl?

[shrink]

Or scowling at the coach!

Come to think of it, I wonder if Brewer can scowl?

LOL! Classic?

McCants = roid rage?

[Hoops23]

Riley wants cap space for 2010 to make a big run plus keep Wade

That is the point, Riley wants to keep Wade. He can only convince Wade to stay if there is another superstar playing next to him.

The article is all smoke. I've seen a lot of Riley trade and I believe it will take a franchise changing player to trade the #2. Riley is playing mind games.

[mandurugo]

Ok, how about:

Miami Out: #2, Haslem

Minnesota Out: #3, Jefferson, Miami's pick back (edit, plus Buckner for money balancing)


That one was hard enough to write that it must be fair?

[D1SGRUNTL3D]

Id say screw you Miami, youre not movin down to get your pick back...we'll just scoop up 1 of the 2 remaining players that you dont pick.

[deeney0]

Yuck, no.

[shrink]

I just had to share one of the most preposterous posts I've ever seen.

This poster on the Heat board says that Riley's expressed dislike of Beasley is just to decieve McHale, and what he's doing is "very simple." MIN doesn't want Beasley "for many reasons," and we need a SG to "balance the roster." His conclusion is:

If Miami can convice Minnessota that we will trade that pick [#2] to another team that values Mayo, than maybe they take the bait and trade with Miami so we can pick Beasley at 3, give them back Blount and get back out pick for next year and our second round pick this year.

We give back their future 1st
We give back the top pick in the second round
We take back Blount's attitude and contract

.. and we STILL take Mayo!