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LeBron James happy Heat traded for Shabazz Napier

NBA Draft Basketball

Connecticut’s Shabazz Napier, right, poses for photos with NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the 24th overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets during the 2014 NBA draft, Thursday, June 26, 2014, in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

AP

Pat Riley said late Thursday night in Miami — after his Heat had traded up to get UConn point guard Shabazz Napier in the draft — that he went after Napier because he liked Napier’s game. Because he’s competitive and a “winner.”

It had nothing to do with the fact LeBron James wanted Napier.

Nope. Not one bit. Why would you even think that?

Still, LeBron was pretty pumped about the selection.

https://twitter.com/KingJames/statuses/482344663115112448

Nobody thinks Napier is the answer to Miami’s roster issues, certainly not Riley or Lebron. Fixing Miami starts with Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade opting out and taking less money. They have until Monday to make that announcement.

But in the short term, the Heat just a guy who looks like he should be a good backup point guard. That’s a start.

And by the way, LeBron likes him.

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