Chad Ford/ESPN on the Miami Heat:
If they decide they prefer Mayo to Beasley, the big question will be
what to do at draft time. The most obvious choice is to take Mayo with
the No. 2 pick, but given how much Beasley is wanted, the Heat should
be able to get some serious offers for the No. 2 pick.
what to do at draft time. The most obvious choice is to take Mayo with
the No. 2 pick, but given how much Beasley is wanted, the Heat should
be able to get some serious offers for the No. 2 pick.
Both the Minnesota Timberwolves (No. 3) and the Seattle
SuperSonics (No. 4) would love to move up to No. 2. But sources say
neither the Wolves nor the Sonics have anything the Heat really covet,
assuming the teams wouldn’t include Kevin Durant, Al Jefferson or Jeff
Green in a deal.
SuperSonics (No. 4) would love to move up to No. 2. But sources say
neither the Wolves nor the Sonics have anything the Heat really covet,
assuming the teams wouldn’t include Kevin Durant, Al Jefferson or Jeff
Green in a deal.
In his mock draft version 4.0, Chad Ford/ESPN has the Wolves selecting O.J. Mayo with the 3rd pick:
Brook Lopez was the first guy in to work out for the Wolves. The Wolves
have a need at center and Lopez would be a good fit. Size sells in the
draft and Lopez is the only big man who looks like he’s worth a pick
this high. However, he doesn’t have the upside of many of the other
players in the draft, and some scouts believe he’s going to be a bust.
Lopez shot the ball well in the workout and impressed the Wolves with
his skill set. But his very average athleticism might give them pause.
Al Jefferson isn’t a great athlete either, and it might be tough for
the Wolves to have both in the frontcourt.
have a need at center and Lopez would be a good fit. Size sells in the
draft and Lopez is the only big man who looks like he’s worth a pick
this high. However, he doesn’t have the upside of many of the other
players in the draft, and some scouts believe he’s going to be a bust.
Lopez shot the ball well in the workout and impressed the Wolves with
his skill set. But his very average athleticism might give them pause.
Al Jefferson isn’t a great athlete either, and it might be tough for
the Wolves to have both in the frontcourt.
That could lead the Wolves to roll the dice on a more talented player, such as O.J. Mayo or Danilo Gallinari.
That considered, Jefferson didn’t harbor even a shred of jealousy over the exalted state of his former team.
“I’m here to support the games, man,” he said. “I know they’d do the
same for me. And it’s good to be back in Boston, too. The fans were
great in the way they supported us last year when we were going through
a lot.
same for me. And it’s good to be back in Boston, too. The fans were
great in the way they supported us last year when we were going through
a lot.
“It’s all good. It doesn’t help to be negative about my own situation.
My time is coming. It’s good to be here right now, getting up close and
personal.”
My time is coming. It’s good to be here right now, getting up close and
personal.”
The Timberwolves have a good collection of young talent but had some
growing pains this season, finishing 22-60. Jefferson has shown
All-Star potential, and Minnesota has the third pick in the draft.
growing pains this season, finishing 22-60. Jefferson has shown
All-Star potential, and Minnesota has the third pick in the draft.
"I’m looking forward to being with this team in the future," Jefferson
said. "We got a lot of great young guys. We got a good pick this year.
I’m really looking forward to it.
said. "We got a lot of great young guys. We got a good pick this year.
I’m really looking forward to it.
"We’ve had a lot of great workouts. [Stanford center Brook] Lopez was there last week. It’s just fun to watch and see the team be built from scratch."
Oh, Minnesota, how do Boston sports fans love thee? Let us count the ways..