The Heat have the 10th pick in the draft and are getting some phone calls. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that Portland or Orlando could be interested in moving up in the draft. Miami?s pick could be available to them.

According to two league sources, Portland has interest in a trade that would send the Blazers' first-round pick (21st overall) and power forward Zach Randolph to Miami for the 10th pick, if it would allow the Blazers to select power forward Amare Stoudemire. For that trade to work within the salary cap, additional players would need to be added, such as Miami's Anthony Carter and Portland's Steve Kerr. Complicating matters is the fact Phoenix is considering Stoudemire at No. 9. Miami would have little incentive to make the trade if it can select a player it covets at No. 10.

The Heat would like Portland?s Bonzi Wells, but as a free agent, he can?t be traded until he signs a new contract in July. The Blazers aren't believed to be interested in reacquiring Brian Grant, so a trade involving Wells likely would require a third team. Interest in Grant is limited.

Orlando, which selects 18th, covets one of the top power forwards in the draft and has spoken to the Heat about exchanging picks, sources said. The Heat's interest would be piqued if forward Mike Miller is dangled. The Magic reportedly offered Miller and its pick to Memphis for the fourth pick and Denver for the fifth pick.

If the Heat can?t use the pick to gain a quality veteran, they will likely keep the pick and choose the best player available. Among the players they would like to see drop to #10 are Carton Butler, Jarred Jeffries, Qyntel Woods and Maybyner Hilario.

Kerry Eggers of the Portland tribune reports that the Trail Blazers have added their names to the list of draft-day trade hopefuls. There are signs that they are trying to move up in the draft.

One report says Portland and the L.A. Clippers have reached an agreement in principle to send the No. 12 pick to Portland for second-year forward Zach Randolph and $3 million. Portland is said to be eying high school phenom Amare Stoudemire, Stanford center Curtis Borchardt and Maybiner ?Nene?? Hilario, all of whom are expected to be taken in the first 14 picks.

Another report says the Blazers are one of many teams hot after 7-foot forward Nikoloz Tskitschvili and would be willing to give up Randolph and even more cash to get into or close to the top five of the draft (RealGM note: the maximum amount of cash allowed in a trade transaction is $3 million).

If the Blazers keep the 21st pick, they will draft the best player available and hope for the best.

The Heat are looking to free agency to fill their small forward hole. Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that although the Heat own the #10 pick in the upcoming draft, they don?t think any of the players available at that spot will are experienced enough to make an immediate impact. They may be forced to use a portion of their mid-class exception on a free agent three? even though they will be close to the luxury tax limit.

Options include Donyell Marshall, Rodney Rogers, Bryon Russell, Devean George, Lee Nailon, Walt Williams, Tyrone Nesby and the Heat's Jim Jackson. Bonzi Wells, who is a restricted free agent with Postland, would like to talk to the Heat after July 1st, when free agent negotiations are allowed. Acquiring Wells would likely require a sign-and-trade with Brian Grant as potential bait.

One NBA general manager said that there is a possibility that Wells ends up in Philadelphia with Dale Davis in exchange for Dikembe Mutombo.

As for the #10 pick, one GM said high-scoring Memphis combo guard Dujuan Wagner could slip to the Heat. The top prospects are Yao Ming, Jay Williams, Mike Dunleavy Jr. (if he stays in the draft before Wednesday's deadline), Caron Butler, Drew Gooden and Chris Wilcox.

Wagner, Jeffries, Woods, Tskitishvili, power forwards Maybyner Hilario and Amare Stoudemire and center Curtis Borchardt are also considered lottery picks. The Knicks, Clippers and Suns select directly before Miami, and two of those teams (New York and Phoenix) are targeting power rotation players.

Wagner, 6-2, has declined to work out for the Heat or any team picking worse than eighth.

Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports that Brian Grant is on the trading block in Miami. And rumor has it they are talking with the Suns. The Phoenix Suns would like to trade guard Penny Hardaway and need a physical frontcourt player such as Grant. But a three-team scenario involving the Heat, Suns and Portland Trail Blazers isn't likely to happen in its current form, according to an official with one of the teams.

In a recent report, Peter Vecsey of the New York Post claimed that the Blazers are working to send Damon Stoudamire and Zach Randolph to Miami, the Heat's No. 1 draft pick (10th overall) and Hardaway to Portland, and Grant to Phoenix. An Eastern Conference GM confirmed hearing that scenario.

The Heat probably have little interest in Stoudamire and would rather have Bonzi Wells in a sign-and-trade. A straight trade of Grant for Hardaway would probably be unacceptable for the Heat because of Hardaway?s diminishing skills and inflated contract.

Another league source said an ESPN Internet report linking Heat guard Eddie Jones and the No. 10 pick to Memphis for the No. 4 pick, Michael Dickerson and Brevin Knight isn't likely to happen. The Grizzlies believe they can find a player as good or better than Jones, for a lot less money, with the fourth pick. Also, the Heat would have qualms about assuming the contracts of Dickerson (six years, $45 million left) and Knight (two years, $12 million left).

According to Peter Vecsey of the New York Post, the Blazers, Heat and Suns are pondering a 3-way trade that would land the #10 pick in Portland.

Interrupting his thoughts of abolishing the current East vs. West playoff format (hey, maybe he has a point) Vecsey's sources say that a deal being discussed would send Zach Randolph and Damon Stoudamire to Miami for the #10 pick and the hope of drafting Amare Stoudemire (no relation, obviously). Miami would send forward Brian Grant to Phoenix and the Blazers would bail out the Suns by taking Penny Hardaway off their hands.

Mark J. Spears of the Denver post reports that Clyde Drexler is coaching one of the teams at the Chicago pre-draft camp and he hopes to be in contention for the Nuggets? head coaching position.

"I know for a fact that I want to coach, make no mistake," Drexler said. "Coaching to me is more fun. It's on the court with the guys - that's the ticket. I think it's more fun than sitting down talking to a bunch of agents all day. I realized that about a year ago. Nevertheless, being a general manager would be great, too. But coaching is my preference.
"I think I will have an interview sometime soon, in the next month or so, I hope," he said. "I'd like to have a formal sit-down interview with (general manager) Kiki (Vandeweghe) and (owner) Stan (Kroenke)."

Drexler retired from the NBA in 1998. He coached the University of Houston for 2 seasons before leaving to spend more time with his family. He was hired last season by the Nuggets as an assistant to the General Manager and was made an assistant coach after Dan Issel?s resignation.

"Clyde has the ability to do anything in this league he wants, as in still play today, coach or be a general manager," Vandeweghe said. "He probably has the money to buy a team if he wants. Clyde is one of the special individuals in this league."

If an opportunity doesn?t open for Drexler in Denver, he has other Nba options and considers being home with his wife and children as a great option, too. "I have some other options, but I'd love to be part of the Nuggets' organization," he said. "They are good guys, and I know they are going to do good things in the future. I'd like to be a part of that.?

The Blazers unveiled new marks today, one an alteration to the classic Blazers "pinwheel", and one a secondary mark with a completely new look. This secondary mark has yet to be named.

Click on the link below to see them.

There are perhaps only two centers in the NBA that cause Shaquille O'Neal any amount of concern: Dikembe Mutombo and Alonzo Mourning. According to Sam Smith of the Chicago Tribune, both could find themselves moving West this summer.

According to Smith, talks between Dallas and Miami have been going on since January. The Mavericks have a pool of talent that may pique Pat Riley's interest. With sign-and-trade issues factored in, the Mavericks could put together a package with Raef LaFrentz, Nick Van Exel, another first-round pick, one of their excess big guys like Shawn Bradley and the $3 million Cuban likes to add to deals.

Of course, such a deal would also bring Riley's 2003 summer rebuilding plan to a screeching halt. Would you rather have Van Exel and LaFrentz or a shot at Kidd and Duncan? I thought so.

Smith suggests that the Sixers may deal Mutombo for "a package of skilled players," but doesn't mention the possibilities. Given Larry Brown's love for UNC alumni, could that mean Rasheed Wallace in the City of Brotherly Love?