Trade Looks Plausible As Draft Nears

Multiple sources have indicated that Heat President Pat Riley has reservations about selecting Michael Beasley. Moreover, Riles gave guards OJ Mayo and Jerryd Bayless private workouts in Miami on Tuesday, just two days before the Draft. It is worth noting that Daequan Cook, who Miami traded for in the Draft, was a late workout as well.

The sources have told media outlets that Miami does indeed plan on selecting Beasley at No. 2. They then plan to trade down in the Draft, possibly for either Mayo or Bayless, while acquiring another asset. Pat Riley appears dead-set on drafting a point guard for Dwyane Wade in the backcourt. OJ Mayo has worked out with Wade in Chicago, and the two have befriended each other.

If there are no takers for a trade, Heat officials on the high end of the tree have told Mayo that they would not hesitate to draft Mayo himself at No. 2 and simply call it a day. However, it is evident that Miami would like to draft Beasley, and then trade for Mayo while possibly acquiring another piece to help the 15-win team. An additional lottery pick has been mentioned.

Shawn Marion may have opted to stay with Miami for an additional season, but he may have to book a flight soon. With the Matrix raking in $17.2 million this season, Pat Riley seemingly thinks he could get a less expensive option at the small forward. The rumor mill has generated Marion-for-Baron Davis rumors. I only see that happening if the Heat select Michael Beasley and they have no takers for a trade. Pat Riley has made very clear, implicitly if not explicitly, that he wants a point guard out of this Draft.

One option for a Draft-night trade will be a deal with Memphis that involves their fifth selection, Mike Miller, and a point guard (probably Kyle Lowry). This trade allows Miami to be more flexible with the fifth pick, considering they already will have a young point guard in Lowry. Miami could draft a big man, Kevin Love or Brook Lopez just to name a couple. Mike Miller is a lethal three-point shooter and can play some point, but he is overpaid at $9 million. Jason Williams, a former member of the Grizzlies himself, may be involved in a sign-and-trade.

Another possibility is the Los Angeles Clippers. One of the reasons Miami may be holding out on Beasley is because they may look to get Elton Brand or Carlos Boozer in the future. Shawn Marion and Michael Beasley will certainly entice the Clippers. The L.A. Clips hold the seventh pick. It is possible that Jerryd Bayless could be available at seven. If not, Miami could grab another lottery-bound guard, such as Eric Gordon.

At the end of the day, it is very difficult to predict something in the future. As I have said, do not be surprised if the Heat do something unexpected. The ultimate goal for tomorrow night's Draft should be to make this team better. They have to ensure that they make the picks or trades necessary to make them a better team. Erik Spoelstra and Pat Riley want Miami to be a playoff team this upcoming season. Well, it will start tomorrow night.

After he does his pick and makes any trades necessary, Pat Riley should take out a piece of paper and a pen. He should write down his new projected starting lineup. Next to it, he should write Boston's starting lineup, the team to beat in the East. When it is midnight on Draft day, Pat Riley should ask himself, "Can my team compete with this Boston team?" If the answer is honestly yes, then Pat Riley has done his job on Draft night.