There is definately a chance that Mayo turns into the best player out of this draft. People really underestimated this guy as he didn't live up to all the hype in his freshman year of college, but he actually showed to me in one season that he was far more mature than I ever anticapated. This guy is going to be a tremendous pro. He's definately a bit of a tweener but lucky for him he possesses great all around ability.

All that said, I'm still a bit hard pressed to pass on Beasley. The guy is just a scoring machine.

Mayo still needs serious work on his decision making, his turnover rate and shot selection were god-awful most of the year and I have a hard time seeing that get significantly better in the near future. He's talented and he'll put up numbers, but I don't see him being a player that'll positively impact your team in the win column, something like Gilbert Arenas with less shooting ability, which is scary because he shoots A LOT of jumpers. Beasley will at least hit at a higher percentage because he'll play inside and rebound even if his defensive effort is lacking.

Chad Ford's latest mock has some fascinating trade talk.


A Beasley, Durant, Green front court in OKC? Yowza.

New Orleans has sold pick 27 to the Blazers for cash considerations.

i think the blazers will trade both of their first rounders for a veteran, they dont need any more young players.

I got word from another poster on another board that he has sources that tell him the Heat are trying to trade Shawn Marion to the Toronto Raptors for TJ Ford and contract fillers.. FWIW

There are a bunch of rumors involving the Heat. One of them was dealing #2 to Seattle along with Blount's awful contract for #4 and Wilcox (which Balta mentioned), one was Marion and #2 to the Clippers for Brand and #7, another involves them getting either Miller, Lowry and #5 from Mephis or Conley and #5 for #2 and Blounts contract, and there's a rumor that they might simply take Mayo at #2 if they can't pull anything off (partially because they think they have a shot at Boozer after next year). They really don't seem to want Beasley, which is pretty strange considering he's nearly unanimously considered the most talented player in the draft, and it's not like their other option that they're leaning towards (Mayo) has never had any character concerns either.

I'm a bit perplexed at what the Heat are talking about, but a lot of those deals involve them getting proven NBA stars and they would be getting value for Beasley while still keeping a very high draft pick so If I were a heat fan I wouldn't be opposed to a lot of what is being rumored out there.

However, taking Mayo over Beasley would be strange (I realize Mayo may turn out to be better, but you can't take him ahead of Beasley).

Well, I think the Heat's plan sort of makes sense here. They're holding right now what I see as 3 pieces of a decent starting lineup...Haslem, Marion, and Wade. One of them clearly is a superstar. But they need 2 more pieces, another guard alongside Wade and another big man. The only way they can fill both of those needs is to try to use their pick and trade down to fill both. Especially if they're just not sold on Beasley for whatever reason.

TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and the 17th pick for Jermaine O'Neal is a done deal. O'Neal and Bosh could be scary good when healthy.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AqLc...o&type=lgns

Guess that means Indiana goes big at 11.

That might work out pretty well if by some miracle O'Neal is healthy. He always shot too many jumpers for my liking, but he's been a hell of a defensive player when he's actually on the floor.

That means Sactown might get Augustin, which I'd love.

I see Mario Chalmers jumping up draft boards. I think he'd be a good fit for the Kings.

As for the Oneal trade. It could work out pretty well if he stays healthy and thats a huge IF.. JON and Bosh's game are pretty much the same so we'll see how that works..

Charlotte Bobcats have acquired the 20th overall pick from the Nuggets in exchange for a future first round, protected pick (ie, Lotto protected). Not a bad move for the Bobcats who clearly could use as much talent as they can get.

Vinny Del Negro was on ESPN 1000 and his comments regarding the draft were much kinder to Rose than Beasley. With Rose it was all about how impressive his character was and all the intangibles where as with Beasley he raved more about the stats that he knew he had put up at Kstate as opposed to what impressed the Bulls upon his visit.

Writing is definately on the wall and Rose is going to be the #1 pick by the Bulls. The one interesting quote to come from Del Negro was related to the young players, where Del Negro said the team would do its best to play to the young players strength's and hide their weaknesses.

This is a big plus to me because too quickly when a young player made a mistake they were pulled and this comment makes me believe the Bulls will be patient to an extent and try to protect its young players and give them the minutes (while doing everything possible to put them in spots to succeed). I really think Del Negro is going to be a great fit as he'll be able to grow into the head coaching position while this team grows from an opening round playoff birth to a title contneder in the next 2-4 years (I'm expecting playoffs this season).