There's one constant about the NBA draft.
"No matter how much study we do of players,"
said Chris Ekstrand, former publisher of the NBA Draft Guide, "I guarantee you when we look at the 2008 draft in 10 years, there's going to be some kid who went with pick No. 37 who turns out to be a big-time player, and somebody who gets picked between 10 and 15 who doesn't play two years."
That possibility alone is justification for all 30 teams to send multiple representatives to the three-day NBA pre-draft camp that begins Wednesday in Orlando.
The top 20 or so prospects, including Kansas State power forward Michael Beasley and Memphis point guard Derrick Rose, won't be playing. That's customary. All they can do is lower their draft status. This camp is for the other guys - players hoping to be chosen late in the first round or in the second round.
The Heat has the No. 2 pick in the June 26 draft and likely will select Beasley or Rose. Miami doesn't have a second-round pick, but it will do its scouting in case it acquires a choice.
However unlikely it is that Miami would trade down with, say, New Jersey (which has picks 10 and 21 this year) or Seattle (which has No. 4 and 24), trade talks of all types will be entertained.
Miami also might see a potential free-agent signee before workouts and games end Friday.
"You don't know how quickly talented players are going to develop,"
Ekstrand said.
Heat guard Daequan Cook, who was drafted 21st overall a year ago, had a good showing at the 2007 camp in Orlando.
Another impressive player a year ago in Orlando was Purdue forward Carl Landry, who had a breakout season with Houston after being picked 31st.
Massachusetts forward Stephane Lasme participated in last year's camp, became an all-star in the NBA Development League and finished the season with the Heat.
In 2006, the Heat saw Chris Quinn at the Orlando camp and signed him for its summer league team. He worked his way onto the roster and became Miami's back-up point guard.
Former Wake Forest center Kyle Visser (6-feet-11, 250 pounds) was at last year's pre-draft camp and recently visited the Heat in Miami. Visser, who will be back in Orlando this week, could fight for a Heat roster spot currently occupied by Lasme, Earl Barron or Joel Anthony.
The pre-draft camp also is a bit of a job fair for NBA front-office jobs, since the event is attended by numerous general managers, head coaches, assistant coaches and scouts.
At last year's camp, the big news came when Florida Gators coach Billy Donovan accepted an offer to become head coach of the Orlando Magic. But a few days later he backed out of his five-year, $27.5 million contract. That opened the door for former Heat coach Stan Van Gundy to walk away from an enticing offer with Sacramento and take the Orlando position.
