The Miami Heat are targeting former Connecticut Huskies point guard Shabazz Napier, according to a report.
Heat star LeBron James announced on Tuesday his intention to exercise his early termination option with the team, meaning that he can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
However, ESPN suggests that James has not definitely decided to leave Miami, and their move for Napier is one which they hope will persuade him to stay.
James is known to be a fan of Napier, who starred for the Huskies as they won the National Championships back in April.
Heat president Pat Riley has spoken with Napier and his representatives ahead of Thursday's NBA Draft, in which the 22 year-old is expected to go higher than the team's 26th pick.
Their efforts to trade up in order to sign Napier are seen as an attempt to make James think twice ahead of possible moves to the Los Angeles Clippers or the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Joe McPhee
