NBA Draft Rumors: Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder to work out Russ Smith

The Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder may end up playing each other in the NBA Finals but they’re both already looking ahead to the late June draft in which each team will be looking to add young talent to their ranks in an effort to replenish the youth on the roster.

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When it comes to Louisville’s Russ Smith, scouts and executives have been skeptical of his potential but those executives apparently aren’t located in either Oklahoma City or Miami. According to Jeff Goodman from ESPN, Smith has workouts scheduled with the Heat and Thunder this week as well as the Phoenix Suns, who are outliers here in record only.

Phoenix seems out of place int he context of the Heat and Thunder, but a few of the hundred draft picks it seems they have in the first round fall int he mid to late 20s which is right where both Oklahoma City and Miami will be drafting.

Oklahoma City also owns the No. 21 overall pick in the draft as well as the No. 29 pick which means Smith could be in play with either of those picks. Miami is sitting pretty as well but the question is will Smith transition well to the NBA?

All three teams have a need for a point guard as free agency or trades may claim the ones they currently have, and Smith appears to be NBA ready. He doesn’t have as much tread on the tires as other guards, but he’s a National Champion and playing for a contender is just all he’ known his entire basketball career and that looks like it will continue into his professional career.