The Miami Heat have the No. 10 pick in the NBA Draft, and there has been a lot of clutter to sort through as to their plans with the pick. Here are three rumors you need to know:
1) Heat Targeting Arizona’s Stanley Johnson In NBA Draft?
ESPN NBA Insider Chad Ford released his latest mock draft recently, with the Miami Heat slated to select Arizona’s Stanley Johnson with the projected tenth pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
As for Johnson, here’s ESPN New York’s Ian Begley with his thoughts on how selecting the Arizona small forward could affect the Heat’s overall plans:
Regarding Johnson, the Heat already has Luol Deng, James Ennis and Henry Walker on its depth chart at small forward. So if Miami picked Johnson, it would likely affect the status of one of those players.
Deng has a player option for next season at $10.1 million. Ennis is under contract at the league minimum for 2015-16. Walker is not under contract for next season and can test free agency this summer.
2) Sam Dekker A Backup Plan?
While the Heat clearly favor Johnson, they also really like Wisconsin small forward Sam Dekker, according to Binoj Jacob of Hot Hot Hoops:
There is also a chance Miami might be picking Sam Dekker (Wisconsin) because he might be the best talent available at the #10 spot. Dekker might be part of a filled out frontcourt in Miami, but the last time Miami picked the best available player over a need was in 2003, when the team drafted Wade, even though they had Caron Butler and Eddie Jones. That move has clearly worked. So Dekker might be of similar thinking.
3) Will Miami Make A Draft Day Trade For Nemanja Bjelica?
The Heat are looking to add wing talent this offseason, and may get some help via trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves for 27-year-old Nemanja Bjelica, according to Darren Wolfson.
The 6-foot-10 reigning Euroleague MVP hasn’t played in the NBA since being drafted by Minnesota 35th overall in the 2010 draft, opting to play in Europe instead. He averaged 12.1 points and 8.5 rebounds per game on 50-percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from three for Fenerbahce in Turkey last season.
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