Is Shabazz Napier the secret to keeping LeBron James in Miami? The Heat seem to think so.
In an Wednesday article, league sources told ESPN that the Heat intend to pursue trade options to attain the University of Connecticut point guard in Thursday’s draft.
James is a big fan of Napier. He tweeted in May, “No way u take another PG in the lottery before Napier.”
That was during the NCAA tournament, in which Napier led his team to the championship. James opted out of his Miami Heat contract Tuesday, after the team lost against the Spurs in the NBA Finals. Teams are now making adjustments in order to obtain him. (RELATED: LeBron James Opts Out Of Contract, Becomes Free Agent)
Miami team president Pat Riley flew out to see Napier immediately after the NBA Finals. Sources told ESPN.com he was so impressed that he told Napier to stop doing workouts so he would fall in the draft to the Heat’s 26th pick.
Napier might be taken as high as the 12th pick as the Orlando Magic have shown interest in him. The Cleveland Cavaliers are also reportedly interested in Napier.