Heat, seeking another skilled young big man, quietly summons three interesting
prospects
BY BARRY JACKSON
https://goo.gl/4u2LHp
The Heat, looking for another skilled young big man, quietly flew in at least
four interesting draft prospects to team headquarters for private workouts
this week, according to multiple sources.
The Heat summoned Baylor 6-10 power forward Johnathan Motley, Indiana 6-10
center Thomas Bryant, and UCLA 6-10 power forward/center Ike Anigbogu.
As we reported here Wednesday, the Heat also had California 6-10 power
forward Ivan Rabb in for a workout.
Bryant was matched against Anibogu in the workout, and Motley competed
against Rabb.
Aside from Rabb, none of the other three are projected to go as high as the
Heat’s pick at No. 14, Miami’s only selection in the June 22 draft. But it’
s possible the Heat could trade for a second-round pick if it becomes
particularly enamored with a player that’s still available after the first
round.
ESPN’s Chad Ford projects Anigbogu to go between 17 and 35 in the 60-player
draft, Bryant to be plucked between 25 and 50 and Motley to be selected
between 25 and 40.
Motley, pictured above, averaged 17.3 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists and
1.1 blocks as a junior at Baylor last season. He shot 52.1 percent from the
field but just 9 for 33 on threes. At 22, he’s older than many of the draft
prospects.
“He has all the physical tools NBA teams are looking for in a power forward,
with terrific size, athleticism and length,” Ford said on ESPN.com. “His
jumper is the major sticking point for teams